The Board denied the Veteran's claims for referral of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and right hand scar disabilities for consideration of an extraschedular disability rating, finding that the assigned schedular ratings adequately considered their combined effects.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not indicate a combined effect involving the Veteran's right hand scar, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The regular rating standards were found to be adequate in covering the extent of his disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Right Hand Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 22, 2015
- Citation
- 1531351
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 1531351.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's right ring finger disability and associated right hand scar are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran is granted a separate 10 percent rating for his right hand scar, effective March 9, 2007. Separate ratings of 10 percent are assigned for peripheral neuropathy with carpal tunnel syndrome in both upper extremities and for peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities.
- 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.
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