The Veteran's applications to reopen previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a cervical spine disorder have been granted. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes of the lumbar spine remains pending.,Service connection has been established for bilateral hearing loss, a cervical spine disorder (secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain), and lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes of the lumbar spine.
The deciding factor: New evidence received since previous denials supports the Veteran's claims for service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disorder, lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20077594
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 20077594.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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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