The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, recurrent tinnitus, and an increased rating for a scar on the upper third of his left thigh have all been granted. The grant is based on direct service connection due to in-service acoustic trauma.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to loud noise during service which resulted in acoustic trauma, leading to current hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic pain from a scar. These conditions are considered direct service connections as there is no evidence of any other theories of service connection being applicable.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, recurrent tinnitus, scar on the upper third of the left thigh
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 26, 2018
- Citation
- 18145239
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 18145239.
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 withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, as the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.
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