The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for left wrist fracture residuals with DJD has been denied. The Veteran does not have ankylosis, which would warrant a higher rating.,Prior to June 20, 2017, the Veteran's service-connected left CTS was rated at 10 percent based on mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve. As of June 20, 2017, the condition has been rated as severe incomplete paralysis due to symptoms such as loss of reflexes and muscle atrophy.,The Veteran's residual linear and nonlinear scars have not met the criteria for a compensable rating based on pain or instability.
The deciding factor: Service connection cannot be established because there is no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss disability, defined by VA regulations. The Veteran does not meet the threshold levels set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.,Tinnitus was denied as it did not originate during service or within one year following separation from service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active duty service.,Left wrist DJD has been rated at 10 percent based on limitation of motion, with no evidence of ankylosis. The Veteran's current condition does not warrant a higher rating as it does not result in loss of function or impairment of use.,The Veteran's left CTS was initially granted service connection and rated at 10 percent prior to June 20, 2017. As of that date, the condition has been rated as severe incomplete paralysis based on symptoms such as reflexes loss and muscle atrophy. The current rating is appropriate given the severity of the Veteran's condition.,The Veteran's scars have not met the criteria for a compensable rating due to lack of pain or instability.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Left Wrist Fracture Residuals with DJD (DJD), Left CTS from November 21, 2016 to December 4, 2016 and February 1, 2017 to June 20, 2017, Left CTS as of June 20, 2017, Residual Linear Surgical Scar, Left Wrist, Residual Nonlinear Surgical Scar, Left Wrist
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 1, 2020
- Citation
- 20044346
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 20044346.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- 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.
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.