The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim to reopen for a back disability and post-operative residuals of right nephrectomy has also been granted, but the claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic arthritis of the left knee from November 3, 2006 to August 10, 2009 remains pending.
The deciding factor: The evidence was found sufficient to grant service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The new and material evidence submitted in support of reopening claims for a back disability and post-operative residuals of right nephrectomy were also deemed sufficient. However, the claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic arthritis of the left knee from November 3, 2006 to August 10, 2009 did not meet the criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 28, 2014
- Citation
- 1408630
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 1408630.
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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