The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The reduction of the 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss was upheld, but restoration of the 10% rating is denied. The claim for an increased rating for back disability prior to October 8, 2019 is denied. A 20% rating is granted effective October 8, 2019, and a higher rating is denied from that date onward.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show sustained improvement in the Veteran's hearing loss or back disability to warrant restoration of the prior 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for an increased rating for back disability prior to October 8, 2019 was denied as there was no material improvement shown.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Back Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 2, 2024
- Citation
- 24005423
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 24005423.
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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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