The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, bilateral hand pain, and shortness of breath (claimed as due to asbestos exposure). The claim for a low back disorder is pending. No new evidence was presented to reopen the previously denied claims for a bilateral knee disorder or right ankle disorder.
The deciding factor: The veteran's complaints of current disabilities were not supported by medical evidence showing an in-service injury or disease, and no aggravation during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Disorder, Hearing Loss, Bilateral Hand Pain, Bilateral Knee Disorder, Shortness of Breath (claimed as due to asbestos exposure), Right Ankle Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 31, 2000
- Citation
- 0023275
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 0023275.
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
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The Board denied the claims for increased rating for diabetes and hearing loss, granted service connection for chronic kidney disease secondary to diabetes, and remanded the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremity.
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The Board denied service connection for vertigo/Meniere's disease and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral flatfeet, and a bilateral knee disorder for readjudication with new evidence.
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