The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 40 percent prior to February 26, 2002 and increased to 50 percent from February 26, 2002 to July 1, 2003. The rating for bilateral hearing loss is now 90 percent on and after July 1, 2003.,The veteran's gunshot wound residuals of the right thigh were rated at 30 percent prior to July 24, 2001 and increased to 40 percent on and after July 24, 2001.
The deciding factor: The VA audiologist determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided in the Rating Schedule for Hearing Loss. The veteran's hearing acuity was rated at Level VII and Level VIII in both ears, which correspond to a 40 percent disability evaluation.,For the gunshot wound residuals of the right thigh, the VA examiner noted that the veteran had severe muscle disability with pain, but did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on the Diagnostic Code provided.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Residuals of Gunshot Wound to Right Thigh
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 18, 2005
- Citation
- 0522608
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 0522608.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his active service. The Board noted that while he had complaints of earaches in service, these did not indicate a current disability.
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