The Veteran's service-connected right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 8615.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be related to his active duty service or any other etiology. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found that the Veteran’s upper extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities were only of mild severity and did not affect motor function or trophic changes during the period on appeal.,The Veteran's hearing loss was noted in service, but audiometric data from his separation examination indicated normal hearing. The Veteran reported symptoms related to his hearing loss after service, which is not sufficient evidence to establish a nexus with service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, Left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, Bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 25, 2023
- Citation
- 23040559
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23040559.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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