The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation, and that any current conditions are less likely than not related to service. For his heart disorder claim secondary to herbicide exposure, the VA examination was inadequate as it did not address other diagnosed heart disorders such as hypertension and an enlarged heart.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were found to be less likely than not related to service due to normal audiometric results at separation. The examiner noted that any further decline in hearing is not military-related, suggesting the conditions occurred after service. For his heart disorder claim, the VA examination was inadequate as it did not address other diagnosed heart disorders such as hypertension and an enlarged heart.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1734464
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 1734464.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
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