The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracolumbar compression fracture, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder) are all granted service connection. Secondary service connection is also granted for COPD, grand mal seizure disorder, osteoporosis, vertigo, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his acquired psychiatric disorder.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's conditions were found to be related to service or secondary to a pre-existing condition in most cases.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracolumbar compression fracture, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder), high cholesterol
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20025292
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 20025292.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- 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.
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