The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated during active service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence did not show a current disability manifested by hearing loss and tinnitus during service or within one year of discharge, and there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the veteran's hearing impairment and tinnitus were not shown to have been incurred in service due to a lack of documented complaints or findings during active duty. The evidence also did not show a current disability within one year of discharge, nor was there any competent medical evidence linking these conditions to military service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 15, 2005
- Citation
- 0519303
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 0519303.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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