The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active duty, while the current evidence does not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or a nexus between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners provided opinions that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is less likely due to noise exposure during service, based on audiometric test results showing no significant change in hearing thresholds at frequencies consistent with noise-induced hearing loss. The examiner also noted that additional factors such as aging and health conditions since military separation are more likely contributing factors.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 24, 2014
- Citation
- 1418341
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 1418341.
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 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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