The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at noncompensable (0%) and tinnitus is rated at 10%.,The residuals of a right inguinal hernia are rated at noncompensable (0%).,The scar from the right inguinal hernia surgery is rated at noncompensable (0%).,All three issues have been remanded for further evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.,The residuals of the right inguinal hernia are rated at noncompensable (0%) as there is no evidence of recurrent or well-supported hernia.,The scar from the right inguinal hernia surgery does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it is not deep and nonlinear, nor does it cover an area greater than 144 square inches.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of right inguinal hernia, scar from right inguinal hernia surgery
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19132366
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,548 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19132366.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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 service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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