The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as there is evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim (onset during service) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also granted based on direct service connection. The claim for tinnitus is granted as the Veteran experienced symptoms since service, which he testified to in his April 2013 hearing.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as there is evidence relating to an unestablished fact (onset during service) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also granted based on direct service connection. The claim for tinnitus is granted as the Veteran experienced symptoms since service, which he testified to in his April 2013 hearing.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disability, Bilateral hearing loss, Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 27, 2014
- Citation
- 1403364
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 1403364.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability alone does not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
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