The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. Bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure. Tinnitus is considered likely caused by the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss. PTSD is linked to a credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there was sufficient medical evidence linking the current disabilities to service, with bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus found to be related to noise exposure during service, and PTSD found to be related to a credible in-service stressor.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 15, 2015
- Citation
- 1502136
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 1502136.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
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