The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, as there was no current disability in the right ear and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between left ear hearing loss and service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that there was no significant shift in hearing during active duty and that the Veteran's hearing was normal at enlistment and separation. The Board also considered conflicting medical opinions but found the VA examiner's opinion more persuasive.
- Claimed conditions
- Hearing loss (right ear), Hearing loss (left ear)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 17, 2024
- Citation
- 24002378
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain, limitation of flexion and granted a separate, compensable rating of 10 percent for left knee strain, painful motion at extension. The Board also denied service connection for hearing loss (right and left ear) and radicular pain to include hypoesthesia and paresthesia in both legs.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypothyroidism while granting increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy in the right and left lower extremities, hearing loss (left ear), and a compensable evaluation for scars, burns (2nd degree).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for hearing loss (right and left ear), migraines, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for service connection for a left ankle condition was remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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