The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral tinnitus and chronic otitis media, as well as his claim for a higher evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim was granted based on the veteran's service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not present any new or material information to reopen the previously denied claims for increased evaluations of tinnitus and otitis media, and the current ratings were found to be appropriate given the maximum schedular ratings available. The hearing loss disability was rated at 50% based on the combined effect of both ears' hearing impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Tinnitus, Chronic Otitis Media, Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- December 8, 2008
- Citation
- 0842209
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 0842209.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his active service. The Board noted that while he had complaints of earaches in service, these did not indicate a current disability.
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