The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, while his right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for VA purposes. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss and denied for right ear hearing loss.
The deciding factor: A December 2016 VA examiner found that the Veteran’s left ear hearing loss was at least as likely as not caused by military service, while a March 2019 private physician concluded that his right ear hearing loss is unrelated to service. The July 2015 rating decision considered these opinions and granted service connection for left ear hearing loss.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- January 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20002678
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 appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy from April 3, 2023 onward, but denied higher ratings prior to that date. Service connection was also granted for alcohol use disorder as secondary to PTSD with traumatic brain injury.
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