The Veteran's bilateral high frequency hearing loss is rated at 60% since February 18, 2014. His low back strain disability has been rated at 50% due to unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.,Service connection for right shoulder condition and neck condition as secondary to service-connected low back strain is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss disability was found to have worsened, warranting a higher rating. The low back strain disability met the criteria for unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.,Service connection was established as secondary to service-connected low back strain.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral high frequency hearing loss, low back strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- January 22, 2018
- Citation
- 1804163
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 1804163.
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 service-connected disabilities render him unable to follow and secure substantially gainful employment, thus a total disability rating for individual unemployability is granted.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection for left knee patellar femoral syndrome, right knee patellar femoral syndrome, low back strain, and right hip bursitis.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, but granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for coccyx chronic pain/residuals of fracture, low back strain, and bilateral hearing loss as the probative evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or due to active service.
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