The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings and service connection was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher initial disability rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, nor does he have bilateral hearing loss or entitlement to TDIU prior to February 1, 2008.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for any of the requested increased ratings and service connection was denied as there is no evidence of a service-connected disability in either ear for hearing loss. The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease has been rated based on its effects on motion, but does not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the Spine Formula.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Cervical Spine Degenerative Disc Disease, Lumbar Spinal Degenerative Disc Disease (status-post thoracic spine fracture)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 30, 2018
- Citation
- 1826164
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 1826164.
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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