The Veteran's hearing loss is not considered to be caused by the 1988 VA ear surgery, as his pre-existing condition and noise exposure are deemed more significant factors.
The deciding factor: There was no evidence of worsening hearing loss following the 1988 surgery, and the interval between the surgery and the next documented audiometric results did not support additional disability.
- Claimed conditions
- hearing problems
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 18, 2014
- Citation
- 1441811
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 1441811.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for hearing problems, sleep problems, and left shoulder torn ligament. The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain were not rated compensably.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The veteran's claims for service connection for kidney cancer, back problems, and a higher rating for tinnitus were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus was also denied. The claim for service connection for hearing problems was remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for personality disorder, claimed as passive aggressive personality passive aggressive type, manifested by abuse of drugs is reopened and granted. Other claims are also remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for TDIU and basic eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.
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