The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, adjustment disorder, and tinnitus have been rated as 100% disabling since July 24, 2007. The effective dates for the awards of TDIU, SMC based on housebound criteria, and eligibility to DEA benefits are all set at July 24, 2007.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as 100% disabling since July 24, 2007. His adjustment disorder became 50% disabling on August 10, 2007, and his tinnitus remained at 10%.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, adjustment disorder, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- April 7, 2014
- Citation
- 1415053
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 1415053.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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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