The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a 80 percent disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board also finds that the Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims are not moot due to errors in the AOJ decision, and these matters are remanded.
The deciding factor: The increase in the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not occur within one year prior to his June 16, 2020, claim for increased rating. The effective date is therefore denied as it was not factually ascertainable that an increase occurred.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 9, 2023
- Citation
- A23031539
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 A23031539.
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 bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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