The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability is granted. The initial rating for right ear hearing loss is denied, and the current 50 percent rating for sleep apnea with asthma is maintained.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports a finding that the Veteran’s left ear hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, while the VA examination findings do not support a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss. The noncompensable evaluation accurately reflects the degree of the Veteran's service-connected hearing impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ear hearing loss, Right ear hearing loss, Sleep apnea with asthma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- August 3, 2020
- Citation
- 20051321
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 20051321.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is denied.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable (10%) disability rating at any point during the appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss due to inadequate audiometric examinations. The Veteran will be scheduled for new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his left ear hearing loss and the severity of his hearing loss.
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