The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic left ear hearing loss during service or within one year of discharge. The VA examiner opined that the current left ear hearing loss is less likely related to military noise exposure and more likely due to natural progression over time. Therefore, service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's STRs do not show a chronic left ear hearing loss during service or within one year of discharge. The VA examiner opined that the current left ear hearing loss is less likely related to military noise exposure and more likely due to natural progression over time.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a fracture of the left index finger
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2011
- Citation
- 1138341
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 1138341.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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