The Veteran's ischemic heart disease has been rated at various levels based on his level of activity that results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. The rating was increased to 60% from October 3, 2005, and decreased back to 60% effective December 2, 2013.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20% since October 13, 2010. Prior to this date, the rating was based on Level IV hearing loss in both ears. The improvement in his hearing after October 13, 2010, led to a decrease in the rating.,The Veteran's asbestosis has been rated at 30% since August 12, 2013. Prior to this date, the rating was based on FVC of 75-80 percent predicted or DLCO (SB) of 66-80 percent predicted. The improvement in his condition after August 12, 2013, led to a decrease in the rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's heart conditions have been rated based on their level of activity that results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. His hearing loss and asbestosis have been rated based on their respective levels of impairment prior to improvement after specific dates.
- Claimed conditions
- Ischemic Heart Disease, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Asbestosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 30, 2017
- Citation
- 1718837
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 1718837.
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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