The Veteran's claims for service connection for back injury and head injury have been reopened, with new evidence showing current diagnoses of lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as well as continuity of symptoms since in-service injuries. The claim for bilateral hearing loss has not met VA criteria.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, residuals of head injury (including memory loss), and headaches have been remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: New evidence submitted to reopen the claims includes medical records showing current diagnoses related to in-service injuries. However, VA criteria for hearing loss disability were not met.,Further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are etiologically related to service. Private treatment records should also be obtained.
- Claimed conditions
- Back Injury, Head Injury, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Left Knee Disorder, Tinnitus, Lumbar Spine Disorder, Residuals of Head Injury (including Memory Loss), Headaches
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 24, 2021
- Citation
- 21070577
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 21070577.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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.
- 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.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
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