The veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected due to acoustic trauma. The left ear hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability. Service connection was denied for the GI disorders and increased evaluation for low back disability.
The deciding factor: VA audiometric evaluations prior to and after service did not show sensorineural hearing loss in either ear meeting VA's definition of a disability, thus denying service connection for left ear hearing loss.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders","diagnosis_details":"Variously diagnosed gastrointestinal disorders, including gastritis secondary to Helicobacter pylori and hiatal hernia with GERD."}, {"condition_name":"Right ear hearing loss","diagnosis_details":"Mild to moderate low and high frequency sensorineural hearing loss in the right ear"}, {"condition_name":"Left ear hearing loss","diagnosis_details":"Mild high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear, not meeting VA criteria for a disability as defined by VA."}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 7, 2006
- Citation
- 0606525
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
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