The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for left ear hearing loss was denied. The appeals for increased ratings of left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis are remanded. The appeal for a higher disability rating for sinusitis is also remanded. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is deferred pending resolution of the other appeals.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was rated as noncompensable (0 percent) based on audiometric testing results, which did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ear hearing loss, Left hip osteoarthritis, Right hip osteoarthritis, Right knee osteoarthritis, Sinusitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20001319
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee strain, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and service connection for a right ankle disorder. Other claims were denied or remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied a compensable rating.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, residuals of a right foot injury, sinusitis, shortness of breath, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, non allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), while granting service connection for left knee strain and left leg shin splints.
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