The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service connected as it did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge.,The Veteran's hypertension is not service connected as there is no evidence that it began during service or is related to any in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of congestion.
The deciding factor: There was no significant change in hearing after the Veteran deployed to Iraq and his current right ear hearing loss is not consistent with changes caused by hazardous noise exposure in service. The Veteran's lay testimony regarding the onset of right ear hearing loss is not competent.,The October 2019 VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not that the Veteran’s hypertension began during service or is related to any in-service injury, event, or disease. There was no medical or epidemiologic evidence suggesting a connection between the Veteran's benign essential hypertension and his service in Southwest Asia.,The October 2019 VA examiner stated there is no current diagnosis of congestion.
- Claimed conditions
- right ear hearing loss, hypertension, congestion
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20013079
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20013079.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
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