The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a stomach condition, including ulcers. The VA found that his current hearing loss is not related to service due to long-term occupational noise exposure after service, while his stomach condition was never diagnosed during service.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is more likely due to post-service occupational noise exposure than to service, and there is no evidence of a stomach condition in service. The Board found the veteran's lay statements regarding onset of hearing loss were not credible given his long history of occupational noise exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, stomach condition (to include ulcers)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 3, 2006
- Citation
- 0606266
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 withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Partly granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, while fibromyalgia, internal or external hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and neuropathy are denied.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.
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