The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. However, his hypertension, GERD, urinary disorder, headaches, nosebleeds, and short-term memory loss are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or soon after service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found the Veteran's current conditions less likely related to service, citing a lack of evidence in the claims file and proximity between dates of service and evaluation. The Board places more weight on the Veteran's statements regarding symptom onset and continuity.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2017
- Citation
- 1760989
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 1760989.
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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