The Board granted service connection for a left ear condition, to include tinnitus, and a right ear condition, to include tinnitus, based on the evidence showing that these conditions had their onset during active duty.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's in-service treatment records and his consistent lay statements supported the finding that his bilateral ear conditions developed during service, rebutting the presumption of soundness at entry into service.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear condition, to include tinnitus, right ear condition, to include tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- May 28, 2025
- Citation
- 25007197
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a deviated septum and right wrist pain, while denying service connection for sleep apnea. The decision also addressed various rating issues and effective dates.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ear condition and basic eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits, as there was no evidence of current disability or active military service during a period of war.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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