The Veteran's claim for service connection for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss was granted. Service connection is established for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis due to active duty service. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no evidence of in-service injury or continuous symptoms since service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran had a current diagnosis of ALS related to his active duty service, but did not have continuous symptoms within one year post-service for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The VA examiner found the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure more credible than the lack of documentation in service records.
- Claimed conditions
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2023
- Citation
- A23030336
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 A23030336.
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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