The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and for radiculopathy of the left leg (right leg) due to lack of evidence of current disabilities. The initial ratings for degenerative arthritis lumbar spine surgical repair of herniated discs (low back disability) and radiculopathy of the left leg (left leg) have been granted at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability in his right ear as defined by VA regulations, and there is no evidence of current radiculopathy in either leg that meets the criteria for a disability under VA regulations. The initial ratings have been granted based on the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis lumbar spine surgical repair of herniated discs (low back disability) and radiculopathy of the left leg.
- Claimed conditions
- Hearing Loss in the Right Ear, Radiculopathy in the Left Leg (Right Leg)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 13, 2013
- Citation
- 1341170
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1341170.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's hearing loss in the right ear and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and hearing loss due to potential new evidence submitted by the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied reopening of the service connection claim for hearing loss in the right ear as no new and material evidence was submitted, despite previous noise exposure and current disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.
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