The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 80 percent for bilateral hearing loss and his request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating for hearing loss, as it was already rated at 80 percent. For TDIU, the Veteran's combined disability rating met the criteria but he could not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his age and service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss is already rated at 80% under the applicable diagnostic code, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board found that there was no evidence of additional disability warranting an increased rating. For TDIU, while the Veteran met the criteria for a combined disability rating of 80%, he could not secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his age and service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- May 27, 2020
- Citation
- 20036372
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 20036372.
What this means for you
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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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