The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable under the VA rating schedule. The Board found that his audiometric results did not meet criteria for exceptional patterns of hearing impairment or other specific provisions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's audiometric test results did not demonstrate puretone thresholds of 55 decibels or more in all four frequencies (1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hertz) in either ear for exceptional patterns of hearing impairment. The ratings assigned were based on the mechanical application of the rating schedule to his numeric designations.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 12, 2014
- Citation
- 1410278
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 1410278.
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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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