The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus and for a 20 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The RO granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss in January 2005, with a noncompensable rating effective from September 14, 2004. He filed an increased rating claim on June 18, 2008, and was assigned a 20 percent evaluation effective the same day.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims were denied because there is no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in disability for bilateral hearing loss within one year prior to his June 18, 2008 claim. The RO granted service connection and assigned an initial noncompensable rating effective from September 14, 2004.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 31, 2010
- Citation
- 1032782
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 1032782.
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.
- 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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