The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a significant shift in hearing during service. The Veteran's current hearing loss is not considered to be related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found the Veteran's left ear hearing within normal limits at discharge and noted no significant change in hearing during service, with no audiometric evidence of hearing loss immediately following discharge or until over 20 years later. The Veteran reported significant occupational noise exposure but not from military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ear hearing loss, Right ear hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- May 20, 2014
- Citation
- 1422913
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 1422913.
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 further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is denied.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable (10%) disability rating at any point during the appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss due to inadequate audiometric examinations. The Veteran will be scheduled for new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his left ear hearing loss and the severity of his hearing loss.
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