The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, with no higher rating due to the lack of exceptional pattern in either ear.,There is insufficient evidence to support service connection for eyesight issues including conjunctivitis. The hyperopia was noted upon entry and did not worsen during service.,Service connection for genital warts cannot be established as there is no evidence that they began during service or are related to an in-service injury or disease.,Periodontal disease is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of exceptional pattern in either ear, and his current complaints do not warrant a higher rating based on functional impact.,There is no evidence that conjunctivitis worsened during service or resulted in chronic eyesight issues. The hyperopia was noted upon entry and did not worsen during service.,Service connection for genital warts cannot be established as there is no evidence of their onset during service or a link to an in-service injury or disease.,Periodontal disease is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Eyesight Issues (including Conjunctivitis), Genital Warts, Periodontal Disease (for Compensation Purposes)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20039509
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 20039509.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his active service. The Board noted that while he had complaints of earaches in service, these did not indicate a current disability.
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