The Veteran's skull loss due to craniotomy is rated at 50 percent effective August 31, 1992.,Post-surgical headaches are rated at 30 percent from August 31, 1992 to March 24, 1998 and at maximum schedular rating of 50 percent thereafter.,Service connection for benign neoplasm of the left ear with vertigo is granted effective June 13, 2011.,Right ear hearing loss is awarded an effective date of December 5, 2012.,A separate noncompensable rating for a left iliac crest scar prior to June 13, 2011.,Service connection for a left iliac crest scar is granted with an effective date of June 13, 2011.,An increased 20 percent rating for painful and/or unstable scars of the left iliac crest and craniotomy is awarded from December 5, 2012.,The Veteran's motion for revision of the June 1993 rating decision on basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is referred to the AOJ.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's skull loss due to craniotomy was rated at 50 percent effective August 31, 1992. Post-surgical headaches were rated at 30 percent from August 31, 1992 to March 24, 1998 and at maximum schedular rating of 50 percent thereafter. Service connection for benign neoplasm of the left ear with vertigo was granted effective June 13, 2011. Right ear hearing loss is awarded an effective date of December 5, 2012. A separate noncompensable rating for a left iliac crest scar prior to June 13, 2011. Service connection for a left iliac crest scar is granted with an effective date of June 13, 2011. An increased 20 percent rating for painful and/or unstable scars of the left iliac crest and craniotomy is awarded from December 5, 2012.
- Claimed conditions
- skull loss due to craniotomy, post-surgical headaches, benign neoplasm of the left ear with vertigo, right ear hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- June 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20039491
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 20039491.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for onychomycosis was denied as the condition did not require treatment and covered less than 5% of his body. The Board also remanded issues regarding service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of right ear hearing loss, and the case is dismissed.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of sleep apnea, left lower extremity (LLE) sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right ear hearing loss due to untimely filing.,The Board also dismissed the appeal for service connection of left ear hearing loss as moot because it was already granted in a prior decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss for VA purposes.
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.