The Board affirms the RO's decision to deny a compensable rating for left ear tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the veteran's condition qualifies under direct service connection criteria.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not clearly establish that the veteran's tinnitus was caused by head injury, concussion, or acoustic trauma, which are required for a compensable rating under direct service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- September 2, 2003
- Citation
- 0322023
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 0322023.
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 appeal for service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss was denied.,The appeal for service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss was denied.,Service connection for right ear tinnitus is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for left ear tinnitus is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for right foot disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for left foot disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for right ankle disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for back disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for right knee disability secondary to service-connected right foot disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for left knee disability secondary to service-connected left foot disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to service-connected right and left knee disabilities is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and left ear tinnitus but denied it for right ear hearing loss.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for back disability, left foot plantar fasciitis, respiratory condition, skin condition, left leg shin splints, right leg shin splints, left knee disability, left leg arthritis, right knee disability, and right leg arthritis. However, the Veteran's claim for migraine headaches was granted.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for left ear tinnitus as the evidence did not support a finding that it began during active service or was related to an in-service injury.
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