The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 0 percent prior to August 2, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for his corneal scars and right eye traumatic cataract is denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% rating effective from August 2, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to March 21, 2013 is denied as he did not meet the disability rating percentage threshold.
The deciding factor: There was no evidence of hearing loss that would warrant a compensable evaluation under VA criteria.,The Veteran’s eye disabilities were rated based on visual impairment and there were no incapacitating episodes. The Veteran's current visual acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Prior to March 21, 2013, the Veteran had only service-connected corneal scars (0%) and traumatic cataract of the right eye secondary to corneal scars (0%), which did not meet the disability rating percentage threshold.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, corneal scars, right eye traumatic cataract
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 5, 2020
- Citation
- 20071786
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,456 · Granted: 23% (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 20071786.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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