The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss as aggravation of a pre-existing condition, and service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability is presumed based on in-service noise exposure, while his tinnitus is presumed due to its onset during service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's hearing loss was less likely than not aggravated by service, but acknowledged a statistically significant decrease in hearing thresholds bilaterally during service. The consistent lay evidence supported the Veteran's reports of first noticing symptoms after noise exposure in service and continued since then.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 6, 2015
- Citation
- 1519502
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1519502.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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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