The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to excessive noise during his military service, including from F1 fighter jets, KC-135 jet tanks, B52 bombers, other aircraft engines, explosions from mortar and rocket attacks, and small arms fire at firing ranges. The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral tinnitus were established by VA examination, and the Board found that there was credible lay evidence supporting his exposure to noise during service. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's reported noise exposure in service provided a plausible basis for his current hearing loss and tinnitus symptoms, which he has consistently experienced since 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
- April 14, 2011
- Citation
- 1114617
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 1114617.
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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