The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was productive of level I hearing acuity in the right ear and level II acuity in the left ear at its worse throughout the rating period on appeal.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is based on the results of the February 2012, July 2014, and December 2019 VA examinations. Based on the audiological test results, a compensable rating is not warranted for this time period.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected left knee strain with degenerative joint disease is based on the results of the June 2019 VA examination. A new VA examination is needed to determine the present claim due to lack of range of motion testing during flare-ups and passive range of motion.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected left knee strain with degenerative joint disease is based on the results of the June 2019 VA examination. A new VA examination is needed to determine the present claim due to lack of range of motion testing during flare-ups and passive range of motion.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected skin disability (skin tags) is based on the results of the July 2019 VA examination. An addendum medical opinion is needed to assess the nature and etiology of his diagnosed skin tags.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected joint pain (left elbow and/or shoulder) is based on the results of the June and July 2019 VA examinations. An addendum medical opinion is needed to assess the nature and etiology of his diagnosed left shoulder and left elbow disabilities.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected left-hand disability is based on the results of the July 2019 VA examination. An addendum medical opinion is needed to determine whether the left-hand disability was incurred in service.
The deciding factor: The criteria for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss have not been met.,Based on the audiological test results, a compensable rating is not warranted for this time period.,A new VA examination is needed to determine the present claim due to lack of range of motion testing during flare-ups and passive range of motion.,A new VA examination is needed to determine the present claim due to lack of range of motion testing during flare-ups and passive range of motion.,An addendum medical opinion is needed to assess the nature and etiology of his diagnosed skin tags.,An addendum medical opinion is needed to assess the nature and etiology of his diagnosed left shoulder and left elbow disabilities.,An addendum medical opinion is needed to determine whether the left-hand disability was incurred in service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, left knee strain with degenerative joint disease, muscle fatigue, heart disability/atrial fibrillation, joint pain (left elbow and/or shoulder), skin disability (skin tags), left-hand disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 12, 2020
- Citation
- 20053368
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 20053368.
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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