The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have onset during his combat service in Vietnam. The Board grants service connection for these conditions, as well as a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected PTSD and ischemic heart disease.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the Veteran has diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are considered disabilities under VA regulations. Given his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma during combat service in Vietnam, the Board presumes these conditions had their onset during service. The TDIU is granted as the combined effect of his service-connected PTSD and ischemic heart disease renders him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2016
- Citation
- 1615119
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 1615119.
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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