Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and a higher rating is denied. Herpes simplex is not compensable. An effective date of August 10, 2017, is granted for service connection of tinnitus. A TDIU is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss was found to be related to in-service noise exposure and the current disability picture meets the criteria for a grant of service connection under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, herpes simplex, mood disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19144774
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).
- Partly granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, while fibromyalgia, internal or external hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and neuropathy are denied.
- 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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