The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, as evidenced by in-service noise exposure. The skin disability is not currently diagnosed, but may be due to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is also not currently diagnosed, though it is suggested based on the Veteran's reported experiences.
The deciding factor: The Board has found that the Veteran experienced noise exposure during his active service and can provide credible testimony regarding in-service symptoms of hearing loss and tinnitus. However, as no current diagnosis for a skin disability or acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) was provided by VA examination, further evaluation is needed.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Skin Disability, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (to include PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 19, 2016
- Citation
- 1606346
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 1606346.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
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