The reduction in disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to noncompensable was proper.,An increased rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,The claim for an earlier effective date for the reduction in disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as moot due to its detrimental nature.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, to include as secondary to toxic herbicide exposure, is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was properly reduced based on improvement shown in his hearing test results.,The criteria for a higher rating for tinnitus were not met due to the maximum schedular rating already assigned.,The earlier effective date claim is moot as it would be detrimental to the Veteran, and therefore dismissed.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was denied because there is no evidence of early onset peripheral neuropathy related to herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 4, 2020
- Citation
- 20031208
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 20031208.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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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