The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not rated higher than noncompensable.,Service connection for loss of smell and taste, to include as due to environmental exposures during the Persian Gulf War, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection based on continuity of symptoms since separation from service.,The Veteran's residuals of right thumb laceration with bone chip and nerve damage are not service connected.,Service connection for hemorrhoids, to include as due to environmental exposures during the Persian Gulf War, is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran has a compensable level of hearing loss. The Board finds that the most probative evidence of record persuasively weighs against a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection was granted based on continuity of symptoms since separation from service, as the Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to burn pits and other environmental exposures during the Persian Gulf War. The private physicians provided opinions with thorough supporting rationale.,The VA examiners did not provide an adequate medical opinion due to lack of knowledge in the medical community or a mere lack of evidence. Therefore, these opinions lack probative value.,There is no evidence showing that the Veteran's hemorrhoids are service connected.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, loss of smell and taste, residuals of right thumb laceration with bone chip and nerve damage, hemorrhoids
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 10, 2024
- Citation
- A24030496
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 A24030496.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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 bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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