The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected bilateral deafness and chronic otitis media, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not demonstrate hearing loss or otitis media severe enough to warrant a higher evaluation than the current 20 percent ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral deafness, chronic otitis media
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 13, 2000
- Citation
- 0029736
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 0029736.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits is in dispute due to a lack of private medical records, and thus the case must be remanded to obtain these records and provide an adequate medical opinion.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for chronic otitis media but denied a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for chronic otitis media and chronic otitis externa due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as an adequate VA examination was not provided.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.