The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied in a January 2004 rating decision. The RO subsequently granted a 10 percent rating effective from April 2010. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability more nearly approximates the level of severity contemplated by a higher rating at any point during the appeal period. Regarding his claim to reopen service connection for residuals of right index finger injury, new and material evidence has been received since the January 2004 rating decision.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss disability is manifested by no greater than level VI hearing loss in the right ear and level III hearing loss in the left ear. The VA examinations conducted during the appeal period have provided objective test results that support this assessment. The Veteran has not presented any new evidence or arguments to suggest a change in his current disability picture.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1717585
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 1717585.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to inadequate examination and reasoning.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to errors in providing notice of his right to a pre-decisional hearing.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
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