The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his tinnitus disability is currently assigned a 10% evaluation. The veteran seeks higher evaluations for both conditions.,The RO denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to initial compensable evaluations for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for service-connected tinnitus.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines, as his current level II right ear hearing loss and level III left ear hearing loss do not warrant a compensable evaluation. The RO also denied the claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for service-connected tinnitus because it has already been assigned the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 6260.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 16, 2008
- Citation
- 0835475
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 0835475.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- 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.
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