The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension (HTN), and diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II) are all granted as service-connected due to exposure to PFAS in contaminated drinking water at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
The deciding factor: The private examiner indicated that the Veteran's exposure to the toxic drinking water caused his disabilities. The examiner referenced studies confirming that PFAS was found in the drinking water at Ft. Huachuca and linked to the development of HTN and DM II.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 12, 2023
- Citation
- 23065786
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 23065786.
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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