The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to March 10, 2008 is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating before this date.,The effective date of the grant of a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded as there is no evidence showing an increase in severity prior to March 10, 2008.
The deciding factor: The August 2002 and December 2002 audiometric evaluations did not show a compensable rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The May 2008 evaluation was the first to show hearing acuity levels that warranted a 10 percent disability rating.,Prior to March 10, 2008, there is no evidence showing an increase in severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 5, 2020
- Citation
- 20071812
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, entitlement to TDIU, and SMC based on housebound status.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied a compensable rating.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities and denied higher ratings for several service-connected conditions.
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