The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service, but further examination is needed to determine if it originated during service or within one year post-service. For PTSD, a VA examination is required to assess whether any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but further medical opinion was needed to determine if the current diagnosis originated during service or within one year post-service. For PTSD, a VA examination is required to assess whether any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder is etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, PTSD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 14, 2017
- Citation
- 1757861
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 1757861.
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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- 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.
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