The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The Board found that the Veteran had some degree of hearing loss during his active service, which is now established as a current disability for VA purposes. Additionally, there is credible evidence linking the Veteran's current hearing loss to his in-service acoustic trauma. For tinnitus, the Veteran's consistent report of ringing in his ears since service was considered sufficient evidence.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran had some degree of bilateral hearing loss during his active service and established as a current disability for VA purposes. The opinion linking the current hearing loss to in-service acoustic trauma is considered probative due to the Veteran's consistent report of ringing in his ears 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
- June 13, 2014
- Citation
- 1426916
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 1426916.
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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