The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent prior to June 10, 1999 and 20 percent from that date. Tinnitus is rated at 10 percent since June 10, 1999. Serous otitis media is rated at 10 percent.,The veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus are evaluated based on their respective diagnostic codes, with no additional factors such as noise exposure or other complications considered. Serous otitis media is rated based on its chronic nature and current symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Serous Otitis Media, Status Post-Mastoidectomy, Right Ear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 20, 2000
- Citation
- 0010470
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 0010470.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
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