The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim remains pending as further development is needed. The psychiatric disorder claim also remains pending due to insufficient evidence of record.
The deciding factor: Service connection was granted for tinnitus based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service, despite a negative VA examiner opinion that was not supported by consideration of the Veteran's lay statements. The hearing loss claim requires additional development as there is insufficient evidence to determine if it is related to service. The psychiatric disorder claim remains pending due to insufficient evidence of record.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 25, 2014
- Citation
- 1443012
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 1443012.
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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