The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the current 40 percent rating for lumbar spinal stenosis adequately reflects his condition, and the current 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus is also appropriate. Bilateral hearing loss and sciatica neuritis are remanded due to lack of recent VA examination or treatment records.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran's conditions have worsened beyond what is currently reflected in his assigned ratings, particularly given the absence of recent medical records supporting claims for increased ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spinal stenosis, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral hearing loss, left eye post retinal detachment with scotoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19170859
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 19170859.
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 bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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