The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board denied a higher rating as there was no exceptional pattern of hearing impairment present. For TDIU, the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements and his claim for extraschedular consideration was also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warranted only a 40 percent disability rating due to the absence of an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment. The Veteran failed to meet the schedular criteria for TDIU as he did not have one service-connected disability rated at least 60% disabling or two disabilities each rated at least 40%.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 12, 2024
- Citation
- A24045831
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 A24045831.
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's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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