The appeal for service connection for left eye condition was dismissed, and the claim for bilateral hearing loss was granted. The issues of entitlement to a TDIU and chronic nonsuppurative otitis media with eustachian tube dysfunction were remanded.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the Veteran's credible lay statements regarding the onset of his hearing loss symptoms during service, along with a probative private medical opinion supporting a link between his in-service noise exposure and current bilateral hearing loss. The negative VA nexus opinions provided inadequate rationale.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, chronic nonsuppurative otitis media with eustachian tube dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- January 3, 2024
- Citation
- 24000197
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Partly granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, while fibromyalgia, internal or external hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and neuropathy are denied.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.
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