The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was evaluated and found to be at Level V, resulting in a noncompensable rating as the service-connected left ear would not be compensable in degree.
The deciding factor: The pure tone thresholds for the left ear were consistently above 50 dB HL, leading to a Level V designation under Table VIA. The nonservice-connected right ear was also at Level I, resulting in a noncompensable rating overall.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear conductive hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2020
- Citation
- 20077192
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 20077192.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left ear conductive hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is in relative equipoise with her in-service complaints and diagnoses. The appeal is therefore granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability but remanded the issue of service connection for left ear conductive hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hearing loss.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for right ear conductive hearing loss. The claims of service connection for left knee disability and left ear conductive hearing loss are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.
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.