The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a compensable rating of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and otitis media, finding that the earliest date it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred was November 20, 1998.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran's claim for a compensable rating of his service-connected hearing loss was denied by Board decision in December 1961 and thus not subject to revision on the same factual basis. The effective date assigned is based on the earliest date it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred, which was November 20, 1998.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, otitis media
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 21, 2001
- Citation
- 0116823
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 0116823.
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 withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, as the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.
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