The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connection is established due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for the back disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability is granted as these conditions are found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were diagnosed during service and have persisted since then. The VA examiner conceded noise exposure but concluded that the current hearing loss was not due to in-service noise exposure, while a private provider opined that it is at least as likely as not related to military acoustic trauma.,For the back disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability, the medical opinions indicate that these conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran's antalgic gait due to his knees led to biomechanical changes in his lower extremities which affected his lumbar spine and hips.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 29, 2024
- Citation
- 24009975
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 24009975.
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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