The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, but his psychiatric disability has been productive of a demonstrable inability to obtain or retain employment since February 24, 1998. His residuals of a shell fragment wound (SFW) of the left arm have resulted in moderate impairment of Muscle Group V muscles.
The deciding factor: The veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service exposure, but his psychiatric disability has caused significant functional impairment since February 24, 1998.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, post-traumatic stress disorder with history of hypochondriacal neurosis with gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular psychophysiological disorders (including headaches)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 12, 2001
- Citation
- 0116040
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 0116040.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- 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.
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