The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 26, 1998 for the assignment of a combined 90 percent rating for service-connected disabilities was denied as there was no evidence showing entitlement to such increase prior to that date.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation prior to June 26, 1998 based on the lack of medical evidence demonstrating manifestations of his service-connected conditions warranting a 90 or 100 percent disability rating prior to that date.
- Claimed conditions
- facial disfigurement with atrophy of jaw and neck muscles and mastication, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, dysphagia with xerostomia, alveolar bone loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 18, 2005
- Citation
- 0510999
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 0510999.
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.
- 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 service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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