The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss due to new evidence received. The claims are granted as they relate to current disabilities that may be related to in-service noise exposure.
The deciding factor: New evidence was submitted showing a possible link between in-service noise exposure and the Veteran's current hearing loss conditions, including lumbar degenerative joint disease and bilateral hearing loss. However, the VA examiner did not adequately consider the continuity of symptoms as reported by the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, left ear hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19124819
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy from April 3, 2023 onward, but denied higher ratings prior to that date. Service connection was also granted for alcohol use disorder as secondary to PTSD with traumatic brain injury.
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