The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus require additional development, as the opinions provided in the March 2017 VA audiological evaluation are inadequate. The Board finds that an in-person VA examination is warranted. The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome requires a medical opinion to address his painful right knee scar and any claimed neurological involvement.
The deciding factor: The opinions provided in the March 2017 VA audiological evaluation were inadequate, as they did not consider whether the Veteran’s hearing loss and tinnitus had its onset during service or was related to noise exposure. The Board also found that an in-person examination is needed for the right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome claim.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19156131
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 19156131.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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