The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable (0 percent), and his appendectomy scar is not service-connected. The claims for increased ratings are granted.
The deciding factor: VA audiological examinations showed the Veteran had Level IV hearing loss in his service-connected right ear, but no significant hearing impairment in his left ear. The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating as it was not severe enough to restrict his activities and employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ear Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Left Ear Normal Hearing
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- January 24, 2012
- Citation
- 1202654
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 1202654.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is due to his military noise exposure during service.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's right ear sensorineural hearing loss is not related to service, specifically due to a lack of evidence showing hearing loss during service and no significant shift in hearing between entrance and separation. The VA audiologists concluded it was less likely than not caused by or the result of in-service noise exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain private medical records and a VA examination.
- Granted
The Veteran's right ear sensorineural hearing loss is presumed to have been incurred in active military service due to exposure to loud noise during service.
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