The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable (0%) due to the presence of a nonservice-connected left ear, and no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence provided.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was evaluated using VA audiometric testing results which did not meet criteria for an exceptional pattern of hearing loss in either ear. The non-service connected left ear was assigned a Level I designation as it is not service-connected, resulting in a combined rating of 0%.
- Claimed conditions
- sensorineural hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 9, 2026
- Citation
- A26033076
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 A26033076.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety is remanded due to the need for a medical nexus opinion.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew all pending appeals, including those for initial compensable rating for sensorineural hearing loss and service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), coronary heart disease, hypertension, left and right sciatic radulopathy pain and hypoesthesia of the lower extremities, and restless leg syndrome, left and right legs.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal to extend the time to file a Board Appeal request for the March 8, 2024 rating decision was denied. The appeal is dismissed as untimely.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an etiological opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected sensorineural hearing loss was a contributory cause of death.
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