The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence was in approximate balance and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing right ear hearing loss was aggravated by his military service due to noise exposure, while his left ear hearing loss began during active duty. The VA examiner's opinion alone was insufficient to rebut the presumption of soundness for the right ear, but the private audiologist's opinion provided significant probative weight.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- February 28, 2025
- Citation
- A25018458
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