The veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus were denied. The RO awarded service connection for bilateral hearing loss with a 10 percent rating effective March 2002, but did not grant the requested higher initial rating or establish service connection for tinnitus.
The deciding factor: The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent based on the criteria for exceptional patterns of hearing impairment under VA regulations. Service connection for tinnitus could not be established as there was no evidence linking it to active military service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 17, 2005
- Citation
- 0522382
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 0522382.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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