The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for spina bifida with congenital spine fusion, D-12 to L-1 and bilateral hearing loss disability. The examiner found no evidence of a superimposed injury or disease upon the congenital abnormality, and concluded that it was less likely than not that the Veteran incurred any disability of the low back in service or sustained an additional disability upon the congenital abnormality. For his bilateral hearing loss claim, the VA examiner concluded that it was less likely than not caused by or a result of an event in service.
The deciding factor: The Board found no evidence of a superimposed injury or disease upon the congenital abnormality and concluded that the Veteran's disability is the result of the congenital abnormality. For his bilateral hearing loss claim, the VA examiner reasoned that there was insufficient medical records to support an opinion without resorting to speculation.
- Claimed conditions
- spina bifida with congenital spine fusion, D-12 to L-1, bilateral hearing loss disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 29, 2017
- Citation
- 1743736
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 1743736.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to inadequate examination and reasoning.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to errors in providing notice of his right to a pre-decisional hearing.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
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