The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is denied since March 24, 2006. A 10 percent evaluation for right ear cholesteatoma is granted since May 15, 2013.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a finding of exceptional hearing loss in the current case and mechanical application of the Rating Schedule to the audiometric findings established a noncompensable rating for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's service-connected right ear cholesteatoma is separately evaluated from his right ear hearing loss.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Ear Hearing Loss, Right Ear Cholesteatoma
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19158398
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19158398.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on in-service noise exposure or other theories.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in service and is less likely than not caused by noise exposure during his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for HTN and right ear hearing loss were granted. A separate 10% rating was granted for painful limitation of flexion in the bilateral knees, while a denial was issued for an increased rating for central serous choretinopathy and for a rating in excess of 10% for bilateral lateral instability.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS, is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and right knee instability are denied.
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