The Board granted a higher initial rating of 30 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss beginning September 30, 2002. The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary/lung disease, low blood sugar, and chronic atrial fibrillation were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. Service connection was also denied for a nervous disorder.
The deciding factor: The VA audiological examination showed that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss met the criteria for a higher initial rating of 30 percent beginning September 30, 2002. For chronic obstructive pulmonary/lung disease, low blood sugar, and chronic atrial fibrillation, there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. Service connection was also denied for a nervous disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, chronic obstructive pulmonary/lung disease, low blood sugar, chronic atrial fibrillation, nervous disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 21, 2006
- Citation
- 0621487
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 0621487.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Partly granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, while fibromyalgia, internal or external hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and neuropathy are denied.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.
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