The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and otitis media. The decision is final as to the issues of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 21, 2002, and from November 21, 2002, forward. The claim for an increased disability rating for otitis media with bilateral mastoiditis remains on appeal.
The deciding factor: The veteran's claims were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating for his hearing loss or otitis media based on the criteria set forth in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, otitis media with bilateral mastoiditis, status post left mastoidectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 21, 2003
- Citation
- 0321065
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 0321065.
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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