The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities were denied. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, while other conditions are rated as noncompensably disabling.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for any higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, flexion deformity of the left ring finger, injury to the right ring finger, fracture of the left little finger metatarsal, mass removal from the right middle finger, fracture of the distal end of the right little finger, cyst removal from the left wrist, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 30, 2001
- Citation
- 0119643
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 0119643.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- 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).
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified depressive disorder with social anxiety disorder and PTSD, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.
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