The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for low back strain prior to November 27, 2017. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or demonstrate at least 30 degrees of forward flexion in the thoracolumbar spine, which is required for an increased rating prior to November 27, 2017. The Veteran's low back strain was rated based on its severity and not due to service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Low Back Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 4, 2018
- Citation
- 18154564
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 18154564.
What this means for you
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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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