The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for scars and residuals following rhytidectomy, as well as an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that VA treatment caused additional disability or that there was fault on VA’s part in furnishing the medical care, nor did it establish that the Veteran's current condition resulted from a foreseeable event. For the hearing loss, the ratings assigned were based on audiometric testing results and did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- scars and residuals following rhytidectomy, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 13, 2021
- Citation
- 21063106
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Partly granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, while fibromyalgia, internal or external hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and neuropathy are denied.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.
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