The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but remanded four claims (asthma, kidney condition, bilateral foot condition, and acquired psychiatric condition) to obtain VA examinations and medical opinions. The denial of hearing loss was based on insufficient evidence of nexus between current disability and military service despite conceded in-service noise exposure.
The deciding factor: The hearing loss claim was denied because the May 2019 VA examiner opinion, given great probative weight, concluded it was less likely than not that the hearing loss was caused by military noise exposure, the service treatment records showed hearing remained largely unchanged during service, and the evidence did not establish chronicity of symptoms in service or continuity thereafter attributable to sensorineural hearing loss.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, asthma, kidney condition, bilateral foot condition, acquired psychiatric condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 27, 2025
- Citation
- A25028572
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a 70 percent disability rating for unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder with major depressive disorder, recurrent, and alcohol use disorder in early remission, as well as TDIU due to asthma and SMC at the housebound rate.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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