The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's reported symptoms of ringing in his ears since service are consistent with his combat experience. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence meeting VA standards for impaired hearing.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established based on the veteran's credible testimony and lay statements regarding exposure to noise during service, which led to tinnitus symptoms persisting post-service.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"tinnitus","diagnosis_basis":"service connection"}, {"condition_name":"bilateral hearing loss","diagnosis_basis":"service connection denied"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 17, 2006
- Citation
- 0607784
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
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