The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is also granted, but the Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability recognized as a VA disability. The initial ratings for left third digit crush injury with residual flexion loss (left third finger disability), gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia (GERD), and carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities are granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma from IEDs, which satisfies the combat presumption. The left ear hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a current disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Right Ear Hearing Loss, Left Ear Hearing Loss, Left Third Digit Crush Injury with Residual Flexion Loss (Left Third Finger Disability), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Hiatal Hernia (GERD), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) of the Left Upper Extremity, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) of the Right Upper Extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19102135
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.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied a compensable rating.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities and denied higher ratings for several service-connected conditions.
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