The Board granted service connection for tinnitus based on the Veteran's credible testimony of continuous symptoms since active duty and in-service noise exposure. The Board remanded the hearing loss claim for a new VA medical opinion that adequately addresses the Veteran's lay statements and current regulatory standards.
The deciding factor: The Board found preponderance of evidence supported tinnitus service connection based on the Veteran's competent lay testimony regarding symptom onset during military service and in-service acoustic trauma exposure, while remanding hearing loss because the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate for failing to address lay statements and misapplying separation hearing standards.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20004423
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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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