The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to his active service and granted service connection for this condition. The left elbow disability claim was denied as there was no evidence of a current disability.
The deciding factor: VA audiological examination revealed normal hearing at separation from active duty, but subsequent audiograms showed significant hearing loss in both ears. The examiner opined that the Veteran's hearing loss is less likely related to military noise exposure due to lack of audiogram documentation and inconsistent findings over time.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- January 11, 2013
- Citation
- 1301174
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 1301174.
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.
- 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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