The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable. Service connection for tinnitus was denied, but the Veteran's onychomycosis (fungal infection in toenails) has been granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.
The deciding factor: Service treatment records showed diagnosis and treatment for onychomycosis during service, and post-service VA treatment confirmed current symptoms. The examiner opined that it was unlikely the ingrown nails contributed to the current fungal infection but supported a finding of service connection based on continuity of symptomatology.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Onychomycosis (Fungal Infection in Toenails)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 30, 2010
- Citation
- 1011733
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 1011733.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
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