The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The evidence did not establish a current disability in any of these conditions. The VA examiner opined that it was less likely as not that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were related to active military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no medical basis linking the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus to his military service, citing significant asymmetry in his ears and lack of documented noise exposure outside of service.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 3, 2008
- Citation
- 0834196
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 0834196.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for onychomycosis was denied as the condition did not require treatment and covered less than 5% of his body. The Board also remanded issues regarding service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of right ear hearing loss, and the case is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a medical examination regarding the severity of his residuals from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), including chronic fatigue. The initial compensable rating for CLL remains denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left toe amputation, triple bypass surgery, blockage in legs, and bilateral tinnitus due to procedural errors and the need for additional medical opinions regarding potential exposure to toxins during service.
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