The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, the issue is remanded as VA needs to provide an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s hearing loss is related to military noise exposure or tympanic membrane trauma in service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. However, the issue remains remanded as VA needs to provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss due to potential military noise exposure or tympanic membrane trauma in service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20029836
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 20029836.
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.
- 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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