The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, left foot avulsion fracture dorsal surface of navicular bone with degenerative arthritis, and asthma have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current disability for hearing loss under VA regulations. For his left foot condition, the Board determined that symptoms were moderate but did not warrant a higher rating. Regarding his asthma, the RO granted an initial 10% rating in September 2012 and increased it to 30% effective February 21, 2020.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations due to insufficient auditory thresholds. For his left foot condition, the Board found that symptoms were moderate but did not warrant a higher rating. Regarding asthma, the RO granted an initial 10% rating in September 2012 and increased it to 30% effective February 21, 2020.
- Claimed conditions
- hearing loss, left foot avulsion fracture dorsal surface of navicular bone with degenerative arthritis, asthma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20071828
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,199 · Granted: 25% (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 20071828.
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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. However, it was determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes, thus denying both claims.
- Denied
The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is denied as service connection is not warranted due to the condition being solely attributed to smoking.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and asthma due to a failure to provide proper notice for a hearing.
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