The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, as they were first experienced during service. The evidence shows current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with no standard threshold shift in either ear at separation from service.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided by VA audiologists indicated that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not caused or aggravated by military noise exposure, but rather are related to his pre-existing conditions. The Board found this reasoning insufficient to deny service connection as it did not address whether there was a nexus between in-service acoustic trauma and the current disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- May 18, 2017
- Citation
- 1716995
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 1716995.
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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