The veteran's claims for hearing loss of the right ear, chronic low back disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic right ankle disability, and chronic left ankle disability were denied. The veteran was granted service connection for status-post open reduction with internal fixation, right (minor) elbow fracture and dislocation, with excision of radial head with Silastic implant, but only an initial 10 percent evaluation was assigned.
The deciding factor: The veteran's hearing loss did not meet the regulatory threshold for purposes of establishing eligibility to VA compensation. His chronic low back disability is presumed not to have been incurred during active service as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service and his current condition does not qualify under any presumptive provisions.
- Claimed conditions
- Hearing loss of the right ear, Chronic low back disability, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Chronic right ankle disability, Chronic left ankle disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 16, 2007
- Citation
- 0714522
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 0714522.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that a remand is necessary due to the Veteran's assertion of worsening hearing loss. The case will be returned for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining any outstanding medical records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
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