The Board denied service connection for hearing loss of the left ear, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by service and is less likely than not related to in-service noise exposure.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that there was no evidence of hearing loss during military service and that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not impact ordinary conditions of daily life. The Board found the July 2017 VA examination report, which provided a thorough analysis, to be more probative than the Veteran's lay contentions.
- Claimed conditions
- Hearing loss of the left ear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18135693
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18135693.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for hearing loss of the left ear due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of both ears as there was no evidence of a current disability in accordance with VA standards.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected hearing loss of the left ear based on the results of a July 2024 VA examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability, as well as remanded several other claims.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.