The Veteran's request to reopen claims for left ear hearing loss disability and lung disability (previously claimed as residuals of pneumonia) were granted. The right hip, GERD, concussive migraine headaches, short-term memory loss, left shoulder, right shoulder, left hand, and right hand disabilities are all remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service treatment records show in-service noise exposure and treatment for ear pain, which is considered to be conceded. The VA examiner did not provide a clear rationale for the opinion that the current hearing loss disability is not related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ear hearing loss disability, Lung disability (previously claimed as residuals of pneumonia), Right hip disability, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Concussive migraine headaches, Short-term memory loss, Left shoulder disability, Right shoulder disability, Left hand disability, Right hand disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19168510
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 19168510.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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