The appeal for an initial, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed.,Service connection for a respiratory disability is denied as there is no competent evidence linking the Veteran's current condition to service.
The deciding factor: There is no competent and credible evidence showing that the Veteran currently has a respiratory disability related to his in-service pneumonia, or any other incident of service. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Bilateral Hearing Loss","diagnosis_date":null,"disability_status":"Not Established"}, {"condition_name":"Respiratory Disability (Pneumonia)","diagnosis_date":"1996","disability_status":"Denied"}, {"condition_name":"Bilateral Pes Planus","diagnosis_date":null,"disability_status":"Not Established"}, {"condition_name":"Back Disability (Lumbar Strain)","diagnosis_date":null,"disability_status":"Denied"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19186518
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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 obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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