Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.,Service connection for nerve damage/right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran reported tinnitus that began during active service and the VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not caused by military noise exposure. The evidence supports this conclusion, as there were no in-service audiometric evaluations showing significant permanent shift in hearing thresholds greater than normal measurement variability from entrance to separation.,Post-service audiometry did not show findings meeting the regulatory definition of a hearing loss disability for either ear under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385. The Veteran's speech recognition score was not less than 94 percent, and there were no other audiometric findings that met this standard.,The service treatment records showed no reports or diagnoses of thoracolumbar spine disability during active service. Post-service VA treatment records also did not show any self-reports or diagnosis of back pain or a related disability.,There is no current diagnosis of sleep apnea in the Veteran's medical records, and he lacks the specialized knowledge to provide such a diagnosis. The Board finds that his statements regarding a current diagnosis lack weight.,The service treatment records showed no reports or diagnoses of nerve damage/right lower extremity radiculopathy during active service. Post-service VA treatment records also did not show any self-reports or diagnosis of this condition.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, sleep apnea, nerve damage/right lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 27, 2024
- Citation
- A24014744
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 A24014744.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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.