The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and knee disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additional VA examinations will be conducted to assess the current severity of his conditions.
The deciding factor: The initial opinions provided by VA audiologists did not adequately address the relationship between in-service noise exposure and the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus, and a new examination is needed.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease (IHD), left knee degenerative joint disease (DJD) with history of Osgood-Schlatter disease and patella tendonitis (left knee disability), right knee patella tendonitis with history of Osgood-Schlatter disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18120742
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 18120742.
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 service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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