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 assigned
- None in this 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1341170.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's hearing loss in the right ear and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and hearing loss due to potential new evidence submitted by the Veteran.
- 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.
- 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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