The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied an increased rating for tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, while the Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA audiologist opined that based on the Veteran’s report of military noise exposure and the configuration of the hearing loss, the hearing loss was at least as likely as not (50/50 probability) caused by or a result of military noise exposure. The tinnitus rating is denied as it is rated under Diagnostic Code 6260 which does not allow for an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18129570
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 18129570.
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.
- 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.
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