The Board denied service connection for right-ear hearing loss as there is no probative evidence of a current diagnosis meeting the criteria for qualification as a disability for VA purposes.
The deciding factor: There was no probative evidence showing that the Veteran had right-ear hearing loss that meets the criteria for qualification as a disability for VA purposes under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.
- Claimed conditions
- Right-ear hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 17, 2021
- Citation
- 21029958
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 21029958.
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 Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of facial burns, Parkinsonism, PTSD, tinnitus, and right-ear hearing loss, prevented him from performing the physical and mental acts required for employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right-ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left-ear hearing loss, finding that there was no current disability in either ear as defined by VA standards.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right-ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder) based on in-service noise exposure and reported combat experiences.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right-ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it is related to service.
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.