The Board denied service connection for hearing loss of the left ear as there was no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may a left ear hearing loss be presumed to have been so incurred.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed that any loss of hearing manifested following service was not related to the veteran's exposure to loud noises during service. The VA examination report had more probative value than Dr. Mock's letter as it was based on a review of all the veteran's records and included a rationale for the conclusion reached.
- Claimed conditions
- hearing loss of the left ear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 22, 2008
- Citation
- 0816870
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 1, 2003, for service connection for vertigo based on clear and unmistakable error in a March 1995 rating decision. The Board found that service treatment records unavailable at the time of the 1995 decision were duplicative of records already considered and would not have manifestly changed the outcome.
- Partly granted
The veteran's service connection for hearing loss of the left ear and tinnitus was granted. The claim for an initial, compensable rating for right-ear hearing loss was remanded.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service connection for asthma is granted pursuant to the PACT Act, while other claims are remanded for further consideration.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied service connection for high cholesterol and hearing loss of the left ear, dismissed TDIU, and remanded several other claims including liver disability, cardiac condition, respiratory disability, GERD with hepatitis A and B, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.