The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported history of ringing in his ears since service is credible and demonstrates both a continuity of symptomatology and chronicity of the condition. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence to support a finding that it was incurred during or aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's reported history of tinnitus beginning shortly after entering service and continuing since then, along with credible testimony at his hearing, demonstrated both continuity of symptomatology and chronicity of the condition. Service connection for tinnitus is granted. However, there was no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was incurred during or aggravated by service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 1, 2009
- Citation
- 0945531
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 0945531.
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.
- 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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