The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for various conditions, including chronic right ear hearing loss, elevated creatine phosphokinase enzyme level, high cholesterol, left pectoralis major muscle tear residuals with muscle atrophy, right ring finger injury residuals, and left ear hearing loss. The decision found that none of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the veteran's chronic right ear hearing loss disability was not shown to be related to his active service, as it had not been objectively demonstrated during service or at any time thereafter. The elevated creatine phosphokinase enzyme level and high cholesterol were found to be either laboratory findings or congenital conditions, which do not meet the criteria for VA compensation benefits. The left pectoralis major muscle tear residuals with muscle atrophy did not demonstrate a compensable degree of disability as defined by VA regulations. The right ring finger injury residuals also did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. Finally, the left ear hearing loss disability was found to be noncompensably disabling.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic right ear hearing loss disability, Elevated creatine phosphokinase enzyme level, High cholesterol, Left (minor) pectoralis major muscle tear residuals with muscle atrophy, Right (major) ring finger injury residuals, Left ear hearing loss disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2008
- Citation
- 0835272
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 0835272.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability but denied service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability, finding that it is due to in-service hazardous noise exposure.
- Granted
The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is related to hazardous noise exposure in service, while his right ear hearing loss disability was not aggravated during service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, hypertension, and high cholesterol as there is no current disability found in the evidence.
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.