The Board has remanded three issues: initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the right knee, and service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left knee. A new VA examination is required to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and to consider his lay statements about the history of his bilateral knee conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that a new VA examination was necessary due to the Veteran’s reported symptoms and the June 2019 audiological assessment notes flat hearing loss in the left ear, as well as the Veteran's testimony regarding the continuity of his knee pain since separation from service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the right knee, degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 21, 2019
- Citation
- 19179898
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 withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Partly granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, while fibromyalgia, internal or external hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and neuropathy are denied.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.
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