The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine strain with intervertebral disc disease (IVDS), right knee disability, left knee disability, and left ankle disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not incurred during service. However, the claims for hearing loss, lumbar spine strain with IVDS, right and left knee disabilities, and left ankle disability require further evaluation by VA examiners to determine their etiology.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine strain with intervertebral disc disease (IVDS), right knee disability, left knee disability, left ankle disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 22, 2021
- Citation
- 21016245
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 21016245.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has expanded the scope of the claim to include any mental health disorder raised by the record and has remanded for additional development regarding service connection for left leg, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities.
- 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.
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