The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and hypertension, as well as his claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus. The VA audiologist opined that the veteran's tinnitus was not related to noise exposure during service, while the private physician in 1995 associated it with sensorineural hearing loss. For hypertension, there is no evidence of its onset within one year post-service and the Board found no direct link to service or diabetes mellitus. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not aggravated by his service-connected condition.
The deciding factor: The VA audiologist provided a rationale for her opinion based on the lack of mention of tinnitus in SMRs and post-service records, despite noise exposure during service. For hypertension, the Board found no evidence within one year post-service or direct link to diabetes mellitus.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2007
- Citation
- 0734183
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 0734183.
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 remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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