The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was caused by in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
The deciding factor: There is no medical evidence that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss began during service or is otherwise related to in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that his current hearing loss was caused by military noise exposure.,The Veteran's disabilities, including a left great toe fracture and back disorder (not service-connected), do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not combine to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ear hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2024
- Citation
- 24033207
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 772 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 24033207.
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss due to inadequate audiometric examinations. The Veteran will be scheduled for new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his left ear hearing loss and the severity of his hearing loss.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of hypertension and right ear hearing loss were denied. The Board has remanded these issues.,Service connection for hypertension was granted in June 2023 based on the PACT Act, but an earlier effective date is not warranted.
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