The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and an initial rating for hyperacidity with reflux. The veteran's current hearing loss is attributed to exposure to acoustic trauma in service, while his hyperacidity with reflux is not related to service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners provided evidence of current hearing loss consistent with the criteria for a disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385 and acknowledged that the veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during service, which established a link between his current condition and service.
- Claimed conditions
- Hearing Loss, Hyperacidity with Reflux
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 3, 2003
- Citation
- 0326322
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0326322.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for PTSD but granted an earlier effective date for TDIU of August 6, 2012.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal in September 2025, stating that she is now 100% permanently and totally disabled effective April 29, 2025.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the claims for increased rating for diabetes and hearing loss, granted service connection for chronic kidney disease secondary to diabetes, and remanded the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremity.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hearing loss was denied prior to December 4, 2013, but a 20 percent rating was granted from December 4, 2013, to September 26, 2015.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.