The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no legal basis for a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected hypertension and ED are not service connected. The RO is instructed to obtain medical opinions addressing whether these conditions were incurred in service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, which is the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6100.,There is no legal basis for a higher schedular evaluation of tinnitus. The Veteran's service-connected hypertension and ED are not service connected.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Hypertension, Erectile Dysfunction (ED), Lumbar Strain with Intervertebral Disc Disease, Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome of the Left Knee, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome of the Right Knee, Left Hip Trochanteric Pain Syndrome with Osteoarthritis (based on impairment of adduction, abduction, and rotation), Left Hip Trochanteric Pain Syndrome with Osteoarthritis (based on impairment of extension), Left Hip Trochanteric Pain Syndrome with Osteoarthritis (based on impairment of flexion)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 27, 2021
- Citation
- 21065859
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 21065859.
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 service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
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