Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent prior to October 1, 2015 and 50 percent from October 1, 2015. The Board finds that a higher rating for the period prior to October 1, 2015 is not warranted.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under VA schedular criteria due to his audiometric test results which consistently showed levels of hearing acuity below those required for a higher evaluation.

Claimed conditions
bilateral hearing loss
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
40%
Decision date
January 17, 2017
Citation
1701222

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 1701222.

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.

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.