Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease was denied. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the presence of in-service noise exposure.

The deciding factor: The VA audiologist concluded that the veteran's current hearing loss is not likely related to any noise exposure during service, which does not meet the criteria for a grant of service connection based on secondary service connection.

Claimed conditions
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
August 12, 2005
Citation
0521902

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 0521902.

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.

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.