The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left-ear hearing loss and a rating in excess of ten percent for tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not warrant such ratings based on the current schedular criteria.
The deciding factor: The veteran's hearing loss was rated as noncompensable due to the lack of exceptional patterns of hearing impairment. The Board found no occupational impairment related to his hearing loss. For tinnitus, the Board denied a separate rating for each ear and noted that the pre-June 2003 regulations allowed only a single ten-percent evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- left-ear hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 18, 2007
- Citation
- 0721530
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 0721530.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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