The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus is granted, but his claims for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent for right upper extremity ulnar neuropathy are remanded. The Veteran also has pending claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, migraine headaches, and neck disability.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was evenly balanced with regard to whether the Veteran's current tinnitus had its onset during service, leading to a grant of service connection for tinnitus. However, the Veteran did not have bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, thus denying his claim for this condition. The right upper extremity ulnar neuropathy is currently rated at 30 percent and remanded as there was insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the disability during flare-ups.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, right upper extremity ulnar neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- November 14, 2023
- Citation
- A23031966
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 A23031966.
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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