The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD is granted. The Veteran's fear of losing his life during the USS Enterprise fire is considered a contributing factor in his current diagnosis.,COPD due to asbestos exposure is dismissed.
The deciding factor: The March 2017 VA examiner conceded acoustic trauma based on the Veteran’s military occupational specialty as an aviation structural mechanic, and found that tinnitus was incurred during active service due to in-service noise exposure.,Both the March 2017 VA examiner and January 2017 private examiner offered positive nexus opinions linking the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder to his fear of losing his life while on board the ship during a fire. The Board found these medical opinions adequate and probative, finding that the Veteran’s symptoms are directly attributable to his military service.,The Veteran requested to withdraw his claim for COPD due to asbestos exposure, which was granted.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder to include unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19177534
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- 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 tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a 100 percent initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder.
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