The Veteran's claim for a reduction of his bilateral hearing loss rating from 20 percent to 10 percent was granted. The effective date is April 1, 2009.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show an improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work that would warrant a reduction in his disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.
- Claimed conditions
- esophagus cancer, myopia (right eye condition)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 25, 2017
- Citation
- 1741986
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 1741986.
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 remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and potential toxic exposure risk activities (TERA). The Veteran's private treatment records from Sentara Careplex Hospital need to be obtained, and a medical opinion is needed to determine if esophagus cancer and sepsis are related to service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for mouth, throat, and esophagus cancer based on an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence indicating the cancers were incurred in service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's esophagus cancer is related to his service, specifically his exposure to herbicide agents and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The examiner must provide an opinion on this matter.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's esophagus cancer and right shoulder condition were not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within a presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established. The claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right shoulder condition was remanded due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.
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.