The Board has determined that there is no evidence of hearing loss in the right ear for VA purposes and thus service connection cannot be granted. For the left ear, while hearing loss was shown on examination, it did not meet VA criteria for a disability. The examiner's opinion supported by specialized training concluded that the Veteran's current hearing loss in the left ear is less likely than not related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in either ear as defined by VA regulations, and there is no probative evidence of a hearing loss disability during the appeal period or recent to the filing of the claim for service connection. The examiner's opinion supported by specialized training concluded that the Veteran's current hearing loss in the left ear is less likely than not related to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Hearing Loss, Right Ear, Hearing Loss, Left Ear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 15, 2016
- Citation
- 1636177
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1636177.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for hearing loss, right ear, but the claim is still pending as no rating has been assigned yet.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are inextricably intertwined with other issues on appeal and must be remanded. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a medical opinion regarding when the Veteran's service-connected disorders first manifested, readjudicate the 1981 claim, and readjudicate all of the herein issues on appeal.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities, not a single disability, prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period on appeal.
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