The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim seeking service connection for loss of vision in the right eye, but service connection cannot be granted as it was denied due to lack of evidence at that time. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is presumed based on herbicide exposure during service in the Republic of Vietnam.,Service connection for TMJ syndrome and headaches is not granted as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's claim for alcoholism is precluded by law, and hypoglycemia is not a disability for which VA benefits can be awarded.,Impaired immunity, swollen prostate, and swollen lymph glands are presumed due to herbicide exposure and radiation, but there is no evidence of these conditions being related to service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as his hearing acuity falls within Level I in the right ear and Level IV to V in the left ear.,New and material evidence has been received, but the claim is denied because there was no evidence of vision loss at the time of the May 1973 decision. The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus is presumed based on herbicide exposure during his Vietnam service.,Service connection cannot be granted as TMJ syndrome and headaches were not present in service or linked to any disease, injury, or incident in service. The Veteran's alcoholism claim is barred by law due to the prohibition of direct service connection for alcohol and drug abuse after October 31, 1990.,Hypoglycemia is not a disability for which VA benefits can be awarded. Impaired immunity, swollen prostate, and swollen lymph glands are presumed based on herbicide exposure and radiation, but there is no evidence of these conditions being related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, loss of vision in the right eye, diabetes mellitus, TMJ syndrome, headaches, alcoholism, hypoglycemia, impaired immunity, swollen prostate and swollen lymph glands
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 13, 2009
- Citation
- 0925979
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 0925979.
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: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- 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 bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
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