The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent from July 8, 2008, but granted a compensable rating prior to this date.
The deciding factor: The VA examination and outpatient treatment records showed varying degrees of hearing loss in both ears, with the right ear having mild elevation of low frequency gradually sloping to a pure loss in the high frequencies, and the left ear having profound loss in the higher frequencies. The Veteran's current hearing aids were found to be providing appropriate benefit.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- August 25, 2011
- Citation
- 1131399
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 1131399.
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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