The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for otitis externa, bilateral hearing loss, and adjustment disorder was granted. The rating for otitis externa remains noncompensable. The rating for bilateral hearing loss was increased to 20 percent effective December 17, 2004. The rating for the service-connected adjustment disorder is now 50 percent.
The deciding factor: The veteran's most recent VA examination did not reveal any evidence of active otitis externa or significant changes in his hearing loss condition. His adjustment disorder was found to be productive of considerable impairment, warranting a higher evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Otitis Externa"}, {"condition_name":"Bilateral Hearing Loss","details":{"issues":["Evaluating hearing loss prior to April 3, 1992","Evaluating hearing loss from April 3, 1992 to December 16, 2004"]}}, {"condition_name":"Adjustment Disorder"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 13, 2006
- Citation
- 0620316
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 0620316.
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
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