The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s current hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's rating schedule, and his TDIU claim was also denied as his combined service-connected disability rating does not meet the requirements for extraschedular consideration.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10% under DC 6100, which is considered adequate given the severity of his condition. The Board found that the current rating schedule adequately addresses the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities and does not require an extraschedular evaluation for TDIU.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20066579
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,604 · Granted: 65% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20066579.
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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