The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection, but his left ear hearing loss and both ankle conditions are denied. The Veteran's right ankle scar tissue damage is granted a non-compensable rating, while the painful scars receive a 10 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports service connection for right ear hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure, but does not meet criteria for left ear hearing loss or current disability. The Veteran's right ankle conditions do not warrant a compensable rating as they are less than the required area under DC 7801.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ear hearing loss, Left ear hearing loss, Right ankle scar tissue damage, Painful right ankle scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 29, 2026
- Citation
- A26040411
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 A26040411.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is denied.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable (10%) disability rating at any point during the appeal period.
- 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.
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