The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, depression, and alcohol dependency disorder have been reopened. Service connection is granted for acquired psychiatric disorders (other than alcohol dependency disorder). Secondary service connection is granted for alcohol dependency disorder as it is proximately due or aggravated by an already service-connected condition.
The deciding factor: The evidence received since the final denial of the claims raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claim, and thus new and material evidence has been received. Service connection is granted for acquired psychiatric disorders (other than alcohol dependency disorder) as they are related to military service. Secondary service connection is granted for alcohol dependency disorder as it is proximately due or aggravated by an already service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, depression, alcohol dependency disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 2, 2018
- Citation
- 18123602
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 18123602.
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 bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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