The Board has granted service connection for left ear sensorineural hearing loss and ischemic heart disease, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military noise exposure and herbicide agent exposure, respectively.,Service connection was established based on presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicides during service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was a significant shift in hearing thresholds from entrance to separation, supporting the conclusion that left ear SNHL is attributable to military noise exposure. For ischemic heart disease, the Board concluded that the Veteran's current diagnosis of coronary artery disease, presumed due to herbicide agent exposure, supports service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear sensorineural hearing loss, ischemic heart disease
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20073352
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.
- Partly granted
The Board grants service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began during his period of active duty service. The claims for ischemic heart disease, aortic valve replacement, status post aortic stenosis, and peripheral vascular disease with popliteal aneurysm are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case to obtain a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's ischemic heart disease, as the previous opinions were found inadequate.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection of a heart condition, to include ischemic heart disease and/or cardiomyopathy due to cardiac amyloidosis, for further development.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected cardiovascular disability, but denied a higher rating from December 15, 2022, through September 14, 2025.
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.