The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The examiner failed to consider ASA to ISO-ANSI conversion policy in effect for audiograms performed between January 1967 and December 1970, and did not address which evidentiary standards and presumptions are applicable given the combination of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and regular active duty service. The examiner also relied on a 2005 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report regarding delayed onset of noise-induced hearing loss.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the VA examination was inadequate due to failure to consider ASA to ISO-ANSI conversion policy in effect for audiograms performed between January 1967 and December 1970, and did not address which evidentiary standards and presumptions are applicable given the combination of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and regular active duty service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 27, 2021
- Citation
- 21032562
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 21032562.
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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