Service connection is granted for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran provided credible reports of stressors related to the fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, which a VA examiner conceded was sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD. A private medical provider also opined that there was a medical link between the Veteran's PTSD and his experience in the army.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss. The weight of evidence indicates that a medical nexus has not been established between current diagnosis and an in-service incurrence; and the criteria for statutory presumptions have not been met.,Tinnitus service connection is granted. The Veteran indicated that he began to manifest tinnitus due to military noise exposure, and tinnitus continued to manifest ever since.
The deciding factor: The Veteran provided credible reports of stressors related to the fear of hostile military or terrorist activity which a VA examiner conceded was sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 23, 2018
- Citation
- 18104929
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 18104929.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
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