The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability, peripheral vestibular disorder, and a headache disorder were denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy was not addressed as it is not related to his service-connected hypertension. His claim for increased rating of hypertension was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection under any applicable provisions due to lack of a current diagnosis or established link between the claimed conditions and service, with the exception of peripheral vestibular disorder and headache disorder which were found to be at least as likely as not related to hypertension. The Veteran's hypertension was rated 10% based on diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disability, peripheral vestibular disorder, headache disorder, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 7, 2018
- Citation
- 18108937
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 18108937.
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's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- 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.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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