The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for anxiety disorder was denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 1, 2016 was denied. Since then, a rating in excess of 30 percent has also been denied.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support a higher rating as the Veteran experienced symptoms such as depressed mood and mild memory loss but still had good relationships with his wife and friends.,The hearing loss was found to be at Level V in both ears, which is consistent with the current 30 percent rating. The exceptional pattern of hearing impairment did not warrant an increase.
- Claimed conditions
- Anxiety Disorder not otherwise specified with mixed anxiety and depression associated with tinnitus, Bilateral Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- November 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19185115
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,162 · Granted: 21% (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 19185115.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his active service. The Board noted that while he had complaints of earaches in service, these did not indicate a current disability.
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