The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The noncompensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss is upheld, as the evidence does not indicate a more severe impairment than what was previously established. The scar on the left index finger also warrants a noncompensable rating due to its superficial nature and lack of significant functional impact. Service connection for numbness of three fingers on the left hand cannot be granted as there is no competent medical evidence indicating such a condition.
The deciding factor: The veteran's hearing loss in his left ear does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, given that it falls within Level II impairment and does not exceed the threshold for exceptional patterns of hearing impairment. The scar on the left index finger is also rated as noncompensable due to its superficial nature and lack of significant functional impact. There is no evidence of a current disability related to numbness in three fingers on the left hand.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Ear Hearing Loss, Scar on Left Index Finger, Numbness of Three Fingers on the Left Hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2007
- Citation
- 0736524
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 0736524.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on in-service noise exposure or other theories.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a TDIU with a September 19, 2024 effective date based on his PTSD, emphysema, and COPD symptoms. His diabetes, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss were not found to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 19, 2024.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 31, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The effective dates for the grants of service connection are not being granted earlier than November 25, 2019.
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