The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence submitted since the last denial supports a grant of benefits. The Board determined that the veteran sustained acoustic trauma during his military service in World War II, which resulted in current sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran's allegations of acoustic trauma during service were consistent with the circumstances of his service, allowing for a presumption of such injury. The May 1997 VA audiometric and otolaryngological examinations provided medical evidence linking the current hearing loss and tinnitus to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 5, 2000
- Citation
- 0000204
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0000204.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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