The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6600. The noncompensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 16, 2011 and greater than a 10 percent rating beginning November 16, 2011 are also denied.,The Veteran's service-connected left ear tympanic membrane perforation is rated at noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 6211. The claim for service connection for right ear tympanic membrane perforation is granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support entitlement to a higher rating for chronic bronchitis, bilateral hearing loss, or left ear tympanic membrane perforation based on the current clinical findings and applicable rating criteria.,Service connection for right ear tympanic membrane perforation is granted as there is reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran's claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Bronchitis, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Left Ear Tympanic Membrane Perforation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2013
- Citation
- 1334780
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 1334780.
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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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