The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back strain have been reopened, but the appeals are remanded due to new evidence received since the prior denial. The VA is required to obtain private treatment records and conduct further examinations to determine if there is a link between the disabilities and military service.
The deciding factor: New evidence has been submitted that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for bilateral hearing loss and low back strain, which were previously denied due to lack of appeal or submission of new evidence within one year. The VA must now obtain private treatment records and conduct further examinations to determine if there is a link between the disabilities and military service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, low back strain
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20024916
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 20024916.
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 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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