The Veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema with bronchitis (claimed as a lung disorder) is denied because there is no evidence of asbestos exposure during service and the current condition is not related to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no evidence that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss or tinnitus, nor is there any evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any complaints related to hearing loss or tinnitus. The earliest post-service medical evidence of hearing loss disability was in 2008, and the record does not contain a current diagnosis of tinnitus.,There is no evidence of asbestos exposure during service, and there is no link between the Veteran's current conditions (emphysema with bronchitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) and his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- emphysema with bronchitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 24, 2009
- Citation
- 0936258
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 0936258.
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 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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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