Service connection for broken left collarbone is denied as the pre-existing condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.,Initial disability rating of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from October 15, 2015 to August 17, 2021 is denied due to no evidence showing a higher rating is warranted during this period.,Initial disability rating of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss from August 17, 2021 to November 10, 2021 is denied as the evidence does not show a higher rating is warranted during this period.,Initial disability rating of 80 percent or higher for bilateral hearing loss from November 10, 2021 forward is denied due to no evidence showing a higher rating is warranted during this period.
The deciding factor: The pre-existing broken left collarbone clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The current disability does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.,The evidence shows that bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating from October 15, 2015 to August 17, 2021.,The evidence showed that bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating from August 17, 2021 to November 10, 2021.,The evidence showed that bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating from November 10, 2021 forward.
- Claimed conditions
- Broken left collarbone, Bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 24, 2023
- Citation
- 23004302
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 23004302.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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