The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development. The Board finds no basis for granting any of the requested benefits.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for status post septoplasty and turbinate reduction, as there is no 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side due to his deviated septum. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not shown within a year of service discharge and does not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis under VA regulations. Service connection cannot be presumed for degenerative arthritis, chilblains, generalized joint pain, neck condition, shoulder conditions, knee conditions, or acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence showing onset in service.
- Claimed conditions
- status post septoplasty and turbinate reduction, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (claimed as back pain), chilblains, bilateral feet, chilblains, right hand, right finger condition (claimed as tingling and numb fingers), left finger condition (claimed as tingling and numb fingers), left ankle condition (claimed as tight and sore left ankle), right ankle condition (claimed as tight and sore right ankle), left foot condition (claimed as left foot with calf cramps), right foot condition (claimed as right foot with calf cramps), athlete’s feet, generalized joint pain, neck condition (claimed as neck pain), right shoulder condition (claimed as tight and sore right shoulder), left shoulder condition (claimed as tight and sore left shoulder), left knee condition, right knee condition, left elbow condition (claimed as left elbow pain), acquired psychiatric disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20024882
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20024882.
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'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 case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- 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.
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