The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, increased ratings for low back disability and left foot disability, and entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound allowance. The reduction from a 10 percent rating to a noncompensable rating for left ankle scar was also found improper. TDIU was not granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is more likely due to post-service noise exposure and age-related factors rather than military service. The VA examination provided in May 2009 found that the Veteran's hearing loss was less likely caused by noise exposure during military service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, left foot disability, left ankle arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 8, 2017
- Citation
- 1731810
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 1731810.
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.
- 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 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 Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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