The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and lumbar spine disability have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claims and established that these conditions were incurred in service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran provided credible testimony regarding his exposure to hazardous noise during service as a RATELO operator, which supported the finding of service connection for tinnitus. For bilateral hearing loss, the Board acknowledged the Veteran's history of pre-service tympanic perforations and post-service treatment records showing hearing aids were issued. The lumbar spine disability claim was reopened based on new evidence including a 2016 back surgery record.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 7, 2023
- Citation
- 23013607
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 23013607.
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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