The Veteran is granted an initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 17, 2012 and a compensable rating of 40 percent from December 17, 2012 to April 24, 2016. The Veteran is also granted a compensable rating of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss from April 25, 2016.,The Veteran is granted an initial noncompensable rating for hallux valgus of the right great toe.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was manifested by no more than level III in his right ear and no more than level III in his left ear prior to December 17, 2012. From December 17, 2012 to April 24, 2016, the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was manifested by no more than level VIII in his right ear and level VII in his left ear. Since April 25, 2016, the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no more than level VIII in both ears.,The evidence shows that the Veteran's hallux valgus of the right great toe was not so severe to be equivalent to amputation of the great toe. The condition is currently rated as noncompensable.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Hallux Valgus of the Right Great Toe
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 5, 2017
- Citation
- 1710723
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 1710723.
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.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his active service. The Board noted that while he had complaints of earaches in service, these did not indicate a current disability.
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