The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, sleep apnea, skin disorder (seborrheic dermatitis), and type II diabetes mellitus due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between the conditions and service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability for any of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not have a current hearing loss disability under VA regulations, nor did he have tinnitus that began during service or within a presumptive period. The Board found the Veteran's claims for low back disability, sleep apnea, skin disorder, and diabetes mellitus were denied as there was no evidence of a link between these conditions and service.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Low Back Disability, Sleep Apnea, Skin Disorder (Seborrheic Dermatitis), Type II Diabetes Mellitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19101282
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, entitlement to TDIU, and SMC based on housebound status.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of May 17, 2019, for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD but denied earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD and COPD, while remanding other issues including entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, tinnitus, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and an initial rating for PTSD.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.