The Board has dismissed the appeal of the claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, as due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service. The August 2002 rating decision denying the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gunshot wound of the left wrist is final. No new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a gunshot wound of the left wrist.
The deciding factor: The VA audiologist concluded that the Veteran’s current bilateral hearing loss was less likely than not caused by or a result of his military service, attributing it instead to occupational noise exposure in civilian life. The Board found this opinion highly probative and supported its conclusions with analysis and reasoning.
- Claimed conditions
- ischemic heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, gunshot wound of the left wrist, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1708897
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1708897.
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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