The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened and granted. Service connection for a respiratory disability due to asbestos exposure is denied, as is the claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.
The deciding factor: Service connection for tinnitus was granted based on direct evidence of its onset during active service and secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The denial of service connection for a respiratory disability is based on the lack of evidence linking it to asbestos exposure, while the denial of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is due to insufficient evidence showing worsening since the last examination.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, interstitial lung disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 22, 2016
- Citation
- 1611646
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 1611646.
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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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