The Veteran's claim for a respiratory disorder due to asbestos exposure is denied as there is no evidence of current respiratory disability.,Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss, with the condition being presumed under the provisions of the PACT Act (Patient Care and Treatment Act).,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder) are remanded as they may be related to service. The claim for alcohol dependence secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded.,Service connection is remanded for rheumatoid arthritis, with the issue being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding its onset during active duty or post-service.,The Veteran's right shoulder disorder claim is remanded as it may be related to service.
The deciding factor: For the respiratory disorder, there was no evidence of a current diagnosis and the Board gave more weight to the competent medical evidence. For left ear hearing loss, the most recent VA examination showed left ear hearing loss.,Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss due to exposure to noise during service, as it meets the criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and alcohol dependence are remanded because they may be related to service, but further development is needed to establish a nexus between current symptoms and service.,Service connection is remanded for rheumatoid arthritis as there is conflicting evidence regarding its onset during active duty or post-service. Further examination is required to determine the etiology of the condition.,The right shoulder disorder claim is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding its onset during active duty or post-service, necessitating further development.
- Claimed conditions
- Respiratory Disorder, Left Ear Hearing Loss, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (to include PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Right Shoulder Disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20034892
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 20034892.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on in-service noise exposure or other theories.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a TDIU with a September 19, 2024 effective date based on his PTSD, emphysema, and COPD symptoms. His diabetes, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss were not found to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 19, 2024.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, and anxiety disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, particularly regarding his shoulder disorders and nasal surgeries. The claims for service connection have been remanded.
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