The combat veteran served active duty from 1964 to 1968 in Vietnam. He sustained hearing loss as a result of his exposure to mortar attacks and heavy artillery fire during service. After service he made a claim to the VA for his hearing loss which was repeatedly denied on the basis that the cause was too speculative. VSG handled the appeal and was able to successfully argue that the VA medical examination which confirmed hearing loss, together with his lay statements that his hearing loss developed as a result of service, without any evidence to the contrary, was sufficient for the VA to grant service connection. The BVA agreed finding that on balance, the benefit of the doubt was to be given to the veteran. He will receive an award for service connection retroactive to the date of his claim as well as disability benefits going forward.