The veteran's claims for increased ratings for headaches and left ear hearing loss, as well as his claim for service connection for facial asymmetry were all denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have a diagnosis of multi-infarct dementia related to his brain trauma from service, and his MRI was negative. For his left ear hearing loss, he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's tables for evaluating impaired hearing. Regarding facial asymmetry, there is no medical evidence showing that it is due to an event in service.
The deciding factor: The veteran did not have multi-infarct dementia related to brain trauma from service and his MRI was negative. For left ear hearing loss, the veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's tables for evaluating impaired hearing. Regarding facial asymmetry, there is no medical evidence showing that it is due to an event in service.
- Claimed conditions
- Headaches, Left ear hearing loss, Facial asymmetry
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 9, 2007
- Citation
- 0706953
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0706953.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of persistent daytime hypersomnolence or other manifestations consistent with a compensable disability rating under the criteria established by Diagnostic Codes. The matter is remanded to obtain additional information from the Veteran regarding his headaches and their impact on his daily life.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to PTSD, but his headaches are denied due to lack of service connection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable (10%) disability rating at any point during the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss due to inadequate audiometric examinations. The Veteran will be scheduled for new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his left ear hearing loss and the severity of his hearing loss.
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