The Board has granted service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss. However, the claims for left ear sensorineural hearing loss and lung condition (COPD) are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion regarding left ear sensorineural hearing loss is deemed inadequate as it does not conform to the clear and unmistakable evidence standard. The COPD claim requires a clarification of the Veteran's respiratory diagnoses, which may affect the determination of service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- right ear sensorineural hearing loss, left ear sensorineural hearing loss, lung condition (COPD)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 8, 2022
- Citation
- 22007201
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 22007201.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's left ear sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss have been granted as service-connected. However, the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service-connected.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, including his pancreatic disorders and left ear sensorineural hearing loss disorder. The Veteran is presumed to have service connection for bilateral tinnitus.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions have caused him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed. Service connection for left ear sensorineural hearing loss is granted, but the claim for right ear sensorineural hearing loss is remanded.
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