Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's current low back condition, neck condition, right shoulder condition, and gastrointestinal disorder are all remanded for further evaluation.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on the benefit-of-the-doubt doctrine and credible testimonial evidence of continuous symptoms since service.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Low Back Condition (claimed as a lumbar strain/muscle spasm, DDD, and arthritis), Neck Condition (claimed as a cervical strain/muscle spasm, DDD, and arthritis), Right Shoulder Condition (claimed as bicep tendonitis and AC joint arthritis), Gastrointestinal Disorder (claimed as intestinal problems)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 28, 2023
- Citation
- 23054015
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 23054015.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
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