Denied
The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and back disability, as well as earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, and initial ratings for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion that there is no significant permanent shift in left ear hearing thresholds beyond test variability from entrance to separation, and the lack of evidence indicating a relationship between current back disability and service, were determining factors.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ear hearing loss, Back disability (spinal stenosis of lumbar region)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2025
- Citation
- A25100637
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