The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a respiratory disorder were denied. His hypertension was not rated higher than 20 percent, metatarsalgia of the left foot was not rated higher than 10 percent, tinnitus was not rated higher than 10 percent, and his scar from varicocele surgery did not warrant any compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service treatment records showed normal hearing thresholds during his military service. Post-service audiometric evaluations did not meet the regulatory requirements for hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The respiratory disorder was not shown to be related to active duty service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 19, 2010
- Citation
- 1014757
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 1014757.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, as the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.
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