The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected, as it meets the criteria for a qualifying disability and there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of in-service noise exposure leading to current hearing impairment.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's history of noise exposure during Reserve duty likely contributed to his current hearing loss at high frequencies.
- Claimed conditions
- Hearing Loss in Right Ear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 29, 2017
- Citation
- 1743798
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 1743798.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's hearing loss in the right ear is granted as service connection, with a finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by or a result of noise exposure during military service.,The Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss in the left ear is found to have been aggravated by service, and service connection for this condition is granted. The Board notes an increase in severity during service but does not find clear and unmistakable evidence that it was due to natural progression.,Service connection for tinnitus as secondary to bilateral hearing loss is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues related to his need for aid and attendance of another person as a result of service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury. The specific conditions include PTSD, CAD, tinnitus, and hearing loss in both ears.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right-ear hearing loss and left-ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for hearing loss in his right ear, but denied for hearing loss in his left ear. The initial rating for tinnitus remains at 10 percent.
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