The Board denied service connection for hearing loss disability of the right ear, finding that it preexisted service and was not aggravated beyond its natural progression during any period of service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss disability of the right ear was documented on an examination upon induction into his first period of service. The VA examiners did not find evidence of a threshold shift in audiometric results that would indicate aggravation beyond the natural progression of the preexisting condition during any period of service.
- Claimed conditions
- Hearing loss disability of the right ear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20069731
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,156 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20069731.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions regarding his hearing loss disability of the right ear and disabilities of both shoulders. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant records, including personnel and service treatment records, and arrange for new medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss disability of the right ear, finding that there is no evidence to support a finding of aggravation beyond its natural progression during any period of service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for a hearing loss disability of the right ear as there is no current diagnosis of such disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded two issues related to hearing loss: entitlement to a compensable rating for the left ear and service connection for the right ear. The Veteran's hearing loss in both ears is currently service-connected, but his right ear hearing loss was not shown to meet VA disability criteria.
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.