The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a hearing loss evaluation in excess of 50 percent, temporary total disability evaluation following cochlear implant surgery, and special monthly compensation (SMC) for hearing loss due to an inadequate medical examination.
The deciding factor: The reasoning is that there was no response from the right ear after removal of the cochlear implant during testing, which requires further explanation. Additionally, it is unclear whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was considered in his 50 percent hearing loss evaluation and if he met the criteria for a temporary total disability rating for convalescence payment under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 18, 2025
- Citation
- A25099927
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