The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that there was no legal basis to award higher ratings or secondary service connection. The veteran's hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, tinnitus at maximum schedular rating (10%), diabetes mellitus at 20%, diabetic neuropathy of both upper extremities at 10% each, and major depressive disorder was not found to be related to his diabetes.
The deciding factor: The Board's decision is based on the lack of medical evidence supporting the veteran's claims for increased ratings or secondary service connection. The VA examiners provided opinions that did not support the veteran's assertions regarding the etiology of his conditions and the need for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the right upper extremity, diabetic neuropathy of the left upper extremity, major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 20, 2008
- Citation
- 0835850
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 0835850.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- 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.
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