The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as it was incurred during his military service. The Board found that there was an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the current cervical spine disability is related to his in-service injury.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been granted service connection based on noise exposure during service, despite a VA examiner stating it was less likely than not caused by service. The Board found that there was an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the current left ear hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been denied as he does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA standards, despite his contentions and service connection for tinnitus.
The deciding factor: Service connection was granted based on direct evidence of an injury or disease incurred during active duty. The Board found that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the current cervical spine disability is related to the in-service injury.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was granted service connection due to noise exposure during service, despite a VA examiner stating it was less likely than not caused by service. The Board found that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the current left ear hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was denied as he does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA standards, despite his contentions and service connection for tinnitus.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine disability, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 1, 2020
- Citation
- 20037298
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 20037298.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for onychomycosis was denied as the condition did not require treatment and covered less than 5% of his body. The Board also remanded issues regarding service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss.
- Denied
The Board denied the claims of service connection for cervical spine and skin rash disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to active military service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of right ear hearing loss, and the case is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for miscarriage, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right elbow disability due to insufficient examination opinions and incomplete service history verification.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.