The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II, to include as secondary to PTSD and/or due to exposure to Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water (CLCW), and increased ratings for PTSD, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) head injury and concussion syndrome, and lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis were remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran had current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss or obstructive sleep apnea. The Board found no nexus between the claimed disabilities and service or any service-connected condition, and thus denied service connection for these conditions. For diabetes mellitus Type II, the evidence was against a finding that it was caused by or aggravated by PTSD or exposure to Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral hearing loss, Obstructive sleep apnea, Diabetes mellitus Type II, Bilateral hand condition (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome), Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) head injury and concussion syndrome, Lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 10, 2023
- Citation
- 23001501
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 PTSD, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor and finding that his PTSD is related to an in-service military sexual trauma (MST) during a period of ACDUTRA.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as there was no evidence of a current disability in the right ear and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the left ear hearing loss and service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for a medical clarification regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected epilepsy has aggravated his bilateral hearing loss.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service acoustic trauma and a rocket blast injury.
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