The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability claim was previously denied in April 2012, but reopened due to new evidence received since then. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) was also reopened.,Service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current hearing loss disability during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.
The deciding factor: The June 2017 audiometric assessment indicated potential hearing loss, but subsequent September 2017 VA examination showed normal hearing sensitivity. The Board finds the September 2017 test more reliable and persuasive.,There is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss Disability, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (to include PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 13, 2023
- Citation
- 23038778
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 23038778.
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 Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.
- Partly granted
The Board has readjudicated the claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, cervical spine disability, skin disability, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinion in the original decision. The issues are being remanded for further examination and consideration of new evidence.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused the current condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have these conditions during service, nor can they be presumed to have developed within one year after separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for tinnitus were denied as there is no credible evidence of its onset in service or a relationship to noise exposure.
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