The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for a lumbar spine condition (claimed as back-herniated discs). Bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure. The lumbar spine condition is not linked to active duty service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lay statements of in-service noise exposure were considered, but the VA audiologist concluded that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current bilateral hearing loss and service. For the lumbar spine condition, the Board found insufficient medical evidence linking it to service despite the Veteran's assertions.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20007523
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 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 service connection for tinnitus, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor. The claims for a cervical spine condition and lumbar spine condition were remanded for further development.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, while fibromyalgia, internal or external hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and neuropathy are denied.
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