The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear sensorineural hearing loss increased in severity during service and grants service connection for this condition. The right ear sensorineural hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and is not related to military noise exposure.
The deciding factor: The July 2008 VA examiner opined that the Veteran's left ear hearing impairment was most likely not related to military noise exposure on the basis of no significant shifts in audiological test results between the enlistment and separation examinations. However, the Board found reasonable doubt regarding this opinion and determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss increased in severity during service.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear sensorineural hearing loss, right ear sensorineural hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 20, 2010
- Citation
- 1035428
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 1035428.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's left ear sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss have been granted as service-connected. However, the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service-connected.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, including his pancreatic disorders and left ear sensorineural hearing loss disorder. The Veteran is presumed to have service connection for bilateral tinnitus.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions have caused him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed. Service connection for left ear sensorineural hearing loss is granted, but the claim for right ear sensorineural hearing loss is remanded.
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