The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are related to service, warranting service connection. The right leg scar is rated as noncompensable due to its nature.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure contributing to current hearing loss and tinnitus, with credible lay assertions supporting the Veteran's reports of symptom onset during service. For the right leg scar, while there was no change noted at separation, the absence of interim tests does not preclude service connection for any shift that may have occurred.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, right leg scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 11, 2017
- Citation
- 1738061
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 1738061.
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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