The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to his symptoms being within the range of normal hearing. For insomnia, the Board found that it was aggravated by active duty service and granted service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss resulted in an exceptional pattern of hearing loss as defined at 38 C.F.R. § 4.86(a), resulting in Level I hearing in both ears which corresponds to a noncompensable rating under the Rating Schedule.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- August 11, 2016
- Citation
- 1632008
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 1632008.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
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