The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA audiometric evaluation results and scheduling a VA examination to determine the severity of his left ear hearing loss. The issue regarding what evaluation is in order for right ear conductive hearing loss is intertwined with the service connection claim. For the 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 claim, a statement of the case must be issued and the Veteran has the opportunity to file a substantive appeal if he chooses.
The deciding factor: The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the relationship between left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss service connection claims. The VA audiometric evaluation results need to be obtained for both ears, and a VA examination is required to determine the severity of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss. For the 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 claim, a statement of the case must be issued as it has not been provided yet.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear conductive hearing loss, right ear conductive hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 5, 2017
- Citation
- 1725402
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 1725402.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left ear conductive hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is in relative equipoise with her in-service complaints and diagnoses. The appeal is therefore granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability but remanded the issue of service connection for left ear conductive hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hearing loss.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.