The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. His bilateral hearing loss claim was not supported by evidence of a current disability, while his headaches, back pain, and thumb sprain claims resulted in maximum allowable ratings.
The deciding factor: The veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence of a current disability as defined under VA regulations. For increased rating claims, the evidence was insufficient to warrant higher ratings based on the severity of his conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, post-traumatic vascular headaches, chronic lower back pain with annular bulge at L4-L5, L5-S1, chronic right thumb sprain, bilateral pes planus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 2, 2006
- Citation
- 0633953
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 0633953.
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).
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, while fibromyalgia, internal or external hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and neuropathy are denied.
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