The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. After considering all available evidence, including the veteran's statements and opinions from VA audiologists, the Board finds an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence on whether the current bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to noise exposure during his active service. The doubt has been resolved in favor of the veteran, and he is granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the relationship between the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military noise exposure, with the opinion from a VA audiologist supporting this finding.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 23, 2005
- Citation
- 0523069
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0523069.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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