The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling. The reduction of the rating for low back strain from 20% to 10% was improper and must be restored.,Service connection for cardiac disability due to in-service radiation exposure is remanded, as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on its etiology.,Service connection for male reproductive disability due to in-service radiation exposure is also remanded, with the same reasoning.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show actual improvement of the Veteran’s low back strain that would warrant a reduction from 20% to 10%. The Veteran's pain and functional impairment have remained consistent.,No VA examiner has provided an opinion on whether the Veteran's cardiac disability is related to his in-service exposure to radiation. This must be addressed before service connection can be determined.,Similarly, no VA examiner has provided an opinion on whether the Veteran's male reproductive disability is related to his in-service exposure to radiation. This must also be addressed before service connection can be determined.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ear hearing loss, Low back strain, Cardiac disability (due to in-service radiation exposure), Male reproductive disability (due to in-service radiation exposure)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 25, 2020
- Citation
- 20021473
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 20021473.
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.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable (10%) disability rating at any point during the appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss due to inadequate audiometric examinations. The Veteran will be scheduled for new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his left ear hearing loss and the severity of his hearing loss.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's hearing loss and low back strain claims are remanded for further evaluation. The hearing loss claim is denied, while the low back strain claim requires additional examination to determine its severity.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's liver disability has not resulted in any compensable symptoms, as he had a previous history of liver disease but is currently asymptomatic.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated at noncompensable level due to the absence of more than Level I hearing acuity.
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