The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss disabilities of the left ear were not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established. The disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's hearing loss disability of the right ear was not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established. The evidence does not establish that his preexisting hearing loss of the right ear was aggravated beyond its natural progression by his active duty service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's STRs do not document any complaints, treatment, or findings related to tinnitus or hearing loss. His separation examination showed normal hearing in both ears.,The Veteran did not report any right ear pain or hearing loss during service and his auditory thresholds at the 2000 and 4000 Hz frequencies improved from his enlistment examination.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, hearing loss disability of the left ear, hearing loss disability of the right ear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 15, 2021
- Citation
- A21020040
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 A21020040.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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