Citation Nr: 1340388	
Decision Date: 12/06/13    Archive Date: 12/20/13

DOCKET NO.  12-19 124	)	DATE
	)
	)

On appeal from the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical and Regional Office (RO) Center in
Wichita, Kansas


THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

2.  Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.


REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by:	Disabled American Veterans


WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL

The Veteran



ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

D. Bredehorst


INTRODUCTION

The Veteran served on active duty from August 1970 to February 1979.

These matters come before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from July 2011 and May 2012 rating decision by the RO.  

A Board hearing was held before the undersigned in August 2013.


FINDINGS OF FACT

1.  The Veteran has bilateral hearing loss as defined by 38 C.F.R § 3.385.  He also has tinnitus.

2.  The medical evidence of record, particularly the October 2011 audiologist's opinion, demonstrate the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.


CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

1.  Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is warranted.  38 U.S.C.A. §§ 1110, 5107 (West 2002 & Supp. 2013); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303, 3.385 (2013).

2.  Service connection for tinnitus is warranted.  38 U.S.C.A. §§ 1110, 5107 (West 2002 & Supp. 2013); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303 (2013).


ORDER

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.



____________________________________________
JOHN Z. JONES
Veterans Law Judge, Board of Veterans' Appeals



Department of Veterans Affairs