The Board denied service connection for joint pain and arthritis, bursitis, loss of sense of smell, loss of sense of taste, bronchitis, gastrointestinal disability (acquired), headaches, bilateral hearing loss, basal cell carcinoma residuals, linear scar of the left upper extremity post-basal cell carcinoma excision, nonlinear scar of the left upper extremity post-basal cell carcinoma excision, actinic keratosis, and residual scars from inguinal hernia repair.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish a current disability for any of the claimed conditions or provide sufficient continuity of symptomatology to support service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).
- Claimed conditions
- Joint Pain and Arthritis, Bursitis, Loss of Sense of Smell, Loss of Sense of Taste, Bronchitis, Gastrointestinal Disability (Acquired), Headaches, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Basal Cell Carcinoma Residuals, Linear Scar of Left Upper Extremity Post-Basal Cell Carcinoma Excision, Nonlinear Scar of Left Upper Extremity Post-Basal Cell Carcinoma Excision, Actinic Keratosis, Residual Scars from Inguinal Hernia Repair
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19169534
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 19169534.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his active service. The Board noted that while he had complaints of earaches in service, these did not indicate a current disability.
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