The Veteran is seeking service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as an increased rating for his right forefoot disability. The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to active duty service, but finds no such equipoise on the issue of bilateral hearing loss or the right forefoot disability.
The deciding factor: The VA audiological evaluation and opinion did not provide a clear basis for determining if the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to military service. The Board has found that further medical inquiry could be undertaken with a view towards development of these issues, including ordering another VA examination.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 26, 2013
- Citation
- 1338871
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 1338871.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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 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.
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