The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss preexisted service and worsened during his brief period of service, concluding that this worsening was due to the natural progression of the disorder.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the veteran's hearing loss had worsened during service but could not be attributed to an in-service injury or event, leading to the conclusion that it was a result of the natural progression of his pre-existing condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Defective Hearing
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 19, 2007
- Citation
- 0739954
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 0739954.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for increased SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) and higher rate of SMC based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) is denied due to lack of eligibility for compensation at the maximum rate or intermediate rate authorized.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's defective hearing has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board found that his hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on audiometric testing results.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board in 1956 incorrectly applied the presumption of soundness, leading to a denial of service connection for defective hearing. The Court reversed this decision and held that if the Board had correctly applied the law at the time, it would have found service connection due to the Veteran's preexisting condition worsening during service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran does not have service-connected defective hearing as his current hearing loss is not shown to be related to military service, including noise exposure.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.