The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and histoplasmosis lung infection status post partial lobectomy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA’s tables for rating hearing loss disabilities or the General Rating Formula for Mycotic Lung Disease.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing acuity was no worse than Level XI in the right ear and Level II in the left ear, resulting in a 10% disability rating. For histoplasmosis, there were no indications of chronic pulmonary mycosis with minimal symptoms such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, histoplasmosis lung infection status post partial lobectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20001097
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
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- Partly granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, while fibromyalgia, internal or external hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and neuropathy are denied.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.
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