The Veteran's hearing loss is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression. Additional steps are needed to verify the inservice injury that led to his current condition.,The Veteran's low back disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify stressors.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify the inservice injury.,The Veteran's asthma is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was diagnosed while in service and whether any increase in severity is due to his service-connected ankle disabilities.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to verify stressors.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the current evidence does not provide sufficient information to make a determination on whether the Veteran's hearing loss was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression.,The Board finds that the current evidence does not provide sufficient information to make a determination on whether the Veteran's bilateral foot disability was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression. Additional steps are needed to verify the inservice injury that led to his current condition.,The Board finds that the current evidence does not provide sufficient information to make a determination on whether the Veteran's low back disability began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify stressors.,The Board finds that the current evidence does not provide sufficient information to make a determination on whether the Veteran's bilateral knee disability began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify the inservice injury.,The Board finds that the current evidence does not provide sufficient information to make a determination on whether the Veteran's asthma was diagnosed while in service and whether any increase in severity is due to his service-connected ankle disabilities.,The Board finds that the current evidence does not provide sufficient information to make a determination on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to verify stressors.
- Claimed conditions
- Hearing loss, Bilateral foot disability, Low back disability, Bilateral knee disability, Asthma, Acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 27, 2021
- Citation
- 21065689
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 21065689.
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 for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability alone does not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's asthma is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating adequately compensates his service-connected condition.
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