The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection as they were likely caused by noise exposure during service, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Other Specified Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorder with Bipolar Disorder) is also granted based on the Veteran's reported stressor of witnessing a plane crash at Pope Air Force Base.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran experienced decreased hearing acuity and tinnitus within one year after service, which was considered a presumptive period for these conditions. The VA examiner did not find any intercurrent cause for these conditions post-service, thus resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Other Specified Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorder with Bipolar Disorder)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 23, 2024
- Citation
- A24027346
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 A24027346.
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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