Service connection for tinnitus is granted. For the period prior to March 3, 2015, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.,For the period since March 3, 2015, a higher initial rating than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.
The deciding factor: Service connection for tinnitus was granted based on credible in-service noise exposure and the Veteran's consistent reports of tinnitus.,For bilateral hearing loss, no evidence supported an increase in rating beyond 10 percent prior to March 3, 2015. Since then, the Veteran’s hearing loss did not meet criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18160626
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 18160626.
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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