The Board found that the veteran's heart disorder is not currently manifested and denied his claim for service connection. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was assigned a noncompensable rating, as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under either the old or new VA Rating Schedule. For mechanical low back pain, the Board found that the current evidence does not support an increased rating beyond 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The clinical evidence did not show any current manifestations of a heart disorder and the veteran's hearing loss disability was assigned a noncompensable evaluation as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under either the old or new VA Rating Schedule. The low back pain, characterized as mechanical in nature, did not demonstrate severe impairment warranting an increased rating beyond 20 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Heart disorder, Bilateral hearing loss disability, Mechanical low back pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 8, 2000
- Citation
- 0015210
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 0015210.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of August 10, 2022 for hypertension and July 25, 2023 for diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.,The Veteran's conditions were found to have manifested no later than the dates specified in their respective effective dates.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD was granted effective August 29, 2022. Service connection was established for vitreous syneresis / vitreous floaters of both eyes. The claims for service connection for refractive error of both eyes (myopia and astigmatism), bilateral hearing loss disability, residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) were all denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they only resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 2, 2023, for the establishment of service connection for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.,The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder and hypertension are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a heart disorder is remanded.
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.