The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for anal fissure with sphincterotomy (30 percent) and left renal calculus (10 percent), effective from April 1998. The claim for a compensable rating for first-degree AV block is denied, as it does not meet the criteria under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service medical records showed a history of first-degree AV block but no current manifestation. His post-service evaluations did not show any impairment on cardiovascular function, and his most recent examination confirmed normal heart function with an EF of 70 percent. For the bilateral hearing loss claim, the June 2004 VA fee basis audiology examination revealed mild sensorineural hearing loss, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either the old or new regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- First-degree AV (atrioventricular) block, Bilateral hearing loss, Anal fissure with sphincterotomy, Left renal calculus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 21, 2004
- Citation
- 0429021
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 0429021.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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