The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss cannot be granted as he does not have a current disability meeting VA criteria. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and back disability are remanded due to lack of recent medical evidence, and the alcoholism secondary claim is also remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's audiometric testing did not show hearing loss in either ear as defined by VA standards, and there was no competent medical evidence demonstrating a current hearing loss disability. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and back disability are remanded due to lack of recent medical evidence, and the alcoholism secondary claim is also remanded.
- Claimed conditions
- Hearing Loss, Acquired Psychiatric Disability (likely referring to PTSD or another psychiatric condition), Back Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20006567
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for PTSD but granted an earlier effective date for TDIU of August 6, 2012.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal in September 2025, stating that she is now 100% permanently and totally disabled effective April 29, 2025.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development and to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for hypertension is dismissed as the claim has been fully granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, fatigue, and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded for further development.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.