The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities were all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of prior claims or reasonable interpretations thereof, the current disability ratings are appropriate, and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and assistance.
The deciding factor: The effective date for service connection is limited by when a claim was received, which in this case was May 10, 2016. The Veteran's hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable since that date. The VA audiometric evaluations did not meet the criteria for exceptional patterns of hearing impairment (38 C.F.R. § 4.86). The Veteran does not have a need for regular aid and assistance due to service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral hearing loss, Bilateral tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- March 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20021642
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 20021642.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.