The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and right ankle sprain were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the bilateral hearing loss prior to June 10, 1999 or a rating in excess of 40 percent as of June 10, 1999. For PTSD and right ankle sprain, the RO found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA audiological evaluations showed that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent prior to June 10, 1999 and at 40 percent as of June 10, 1999. For PTSD, there were no issues raised or evidence provided for an increased evaluation. The right ankle sprain evaluations did not support a higher rating based on the functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), right ankle sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 20, 2001
- Citation
- 0126551
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 0126551.
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).
- 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.
- 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.
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