Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Whole decision: Granted

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability with an effective date of February 19, 1974. The claim was previously denied in June 1974 and January 1975 due to lack of evidence of increased severity of hearing loss in service. New evidence received after these decisions, including relevant service department records, has been considered.

The deciding factor: The submission of new service department records that were relevant, existed at the time of prior decisions, but not previously associated with the claims file triggered reconsideration and grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability with an effective date of February 19, 1974.

Claimed conditions
bilateral hearing loss
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
August 9, 2017
Citation
1732189

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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1732189.

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

Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.