The Board denied all claims, including those for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and organic diseases of the nervous system (other than already service-connected tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss). The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to a service-connected disability was also denied. No effective date earlier than May 29, 2013 for SMC benefits is granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss and no other conditions were found to be related to service or service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and organic diseases of the nervous system (other than already service-connected tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss) have not been diagnosed.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, organic diseases of the nervous system (other than already service-connected tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 5, 2017
- Citation
- 1715032
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 1715032.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- 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 Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis disability rating is being remanded for additional development due to significant weight loss and anemia.
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