The Veteran's service-connected left ear sensorineural hearing loss results in no worse than Level I hearing acuity, and he is not service-connected for right ear hearing loss. Therefore, an initial compensable rating is denied.
The deciding factor: The average puretone threshold of 46 decibels in the left ear corresponds to a zero percent disability evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6100 (sensorineural hearing loss), as level I hearing acuity does not meet criteria for any higher evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Ear Sensorineural Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- January 16, 2015
- Citation
- 1502398
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 1502398.
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 is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, back and neck conditions. The Board grants the TDIU.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, his claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied. For left ear hearing loss, the evidence shows that the Veteran's sensorineural hearing loss in the frequency range of 500-4000 Hz has been rated as Level I under Diagnostic Code 6100.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The hypertension claim was denied as the current rating is appropriate, and the coronary artery disease prior to January 1, 2014 claim was denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a higher rating. The left ear hearing loss claim was denied as it does not meet the compensable rating criteria.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.