The Board denied service connection for chronic bilateral hearing loss disability and chronic tinnitus, finding no evidence of such disabilities during or proximate to active service.
The deciding factor: There was no objective evidence showing the onset of chronic bilateral hearing loss disability or chronic tinnitus during or shortly after active service. The examiner at the June 2006 VA examination for compensation purposes concluded that it was 'impossible to say whether or not any of [the veteran's hearing loss disability] was sustained or exacerbated during the course of military service without resorting to conjecture.'
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic bilateral hearing loss disability, Chronic tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 29, 2008
- Citation
- 0829547
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 0829547.
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: Granted
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and granted service connection for this condition. The other issues were not addressed due to lack of jurisdiction.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service and denied his claim.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has granted service connection for chronic bilateral hearing loss disability and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD). The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety is currently in effect.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for chronic PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and dysthymia as they are secondary to an inservice personal assault. Service connection for chronic tinnitus was also granted based on in-service exposure to gunfire and explosions.
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.