The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence. The claim for tinnitus is granted as it began during service and continues today, with no intercurrent cause. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is also granted as there is a current disability (bilateral hearing loss) that is related to in-service noise exposure, even though the Veteran's post-service occupation was more significant in terms of noise exposure.
The deciding factor: The Board found new evidence sufficient to reopen the claims and established that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and continues today. For bilateral hearing loss, the Board determined that there is a current disability (bilateral hearing loss) related to in-service noise exposure, even though the Veteran reported more significant post-service noise exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 28, 2022
- Citation
- 22037018
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 22037018.
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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