The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), neck degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and an initial compensable rating for acquired psychiatric disorder including major depressive disorder (MDD).

The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service, and the evidence supports a direct link to his military noise exposure.

Claimed conditions

tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), neck degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), acquired psychiatric disorder including major depressive disorder (MDD)

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

October 3, 2025

Citation

A25085774

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