The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the evidence shows current disability and in-service noise exposure. Service connection is not granted for hypertension due to lack of medical evidence supporting a nexus between active duty service and the condition.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on continuity of symptomatology since service.
The deciding factor: The August 2016 VA examination provided conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, but ultimately concluded that it was less likely caused by or a result of exposure to noise during active duty. The examiner noted no significant in-service threshold shift and normal audiometric testing at separation.,The August 2016 VA examination found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service due to lack of medical records supporting such a connection, and because the medication used for treatment was developed after his discharge.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2018
- Citation
- 1801380
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 1801380.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
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