The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to her military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms post-service. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service noise exposure are credible but do not establish a nexus between her current conditions and service.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran did not experience hearing loss or tinnitus during service, nor does it show continuity of symptoms since separation from service. The VA audiologist's opinion is more probative as it considers the Veteran's account of noise exposure in service and notes a plausible connection to her current conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 6, 2015
- Citation
- 1519382
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 1519382.
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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