The Board granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder strain.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports a causal nexus between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and her noise exposure during service. The Board found that the unfavorable VA opinions were not probative due to their reliance on an Institute of Medicine report with seemingly qualifying or contradictory statements, and because they did not address all relevant factors.
- Claimed conditions
- hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- October 31, 2025
- Citation
- A25094863
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