The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as it did not have its onset during active service or within one year of discharge.,The Veteran's weight fluctuation, gastrointestinal disability (other than constipation), erectile dysfunction, urinary frequency, diabetes mellitus, and tooth loss are all denied as they were not related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or lumbar spine osteoarthritis.,Bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as it is proximately due to service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to active service, to include as secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and/or secondary to lumbar spine osteoarthritis.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Weight Fluctuation, Gastrointestinal Disability (other than constipation), Erectile Dysfunction, Urinary Frequency, Diabetes Mellitus, Bilateral Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Tooth Loss
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19125044
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and a higher rating for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy with muscle weakness, but granted an earlier effective date for the 60 percent disability rating for thrombosis, TIA or cerebral infarction with impairment of sphincter control and voiding dysfunction, and for service connection for pharynx and/or larynx and/or swallowing conditions residuals.
- 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.
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