The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for left ear hearing loss due to lack of a current disability as per VA standards. For right ear hearing loss, the Board assigned great probative value to the VA examiner's opinion, finding no in-service incurrence or aggravation and no nexus to military noise exposure. Service connection was granted for tinnitus based on lay testimony regarding its onset during service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability of left ear hearing loss as per VA standards, and there is no objective evidence of permanent auditory damage on active duty. The Board found that right ear hearing loss was conductive in nature and not due to acoustic trauma. Service connection for tinnitus was granted based on lay testimony regarding its onset during service.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 7, 2024
- Citation
- A24023813
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 A24023813.
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.
- 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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