The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic tinnitus. After considering all of the evidence, including VA and private audiometric examinations and treatment reports, medical articles and treatises, and statements from the Veteran's private physician and audiologist, the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran was exposed to noise during his period of active military service, including while serving in the Republic of Vietnam. The private audiologist opined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were at least as likely as not due to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, chronic tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 21, 2009
- Citation
- 0935386
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 0935386.
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.
- 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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