The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it. Service connection for multiple sclerosis is also granted, but the issues of service connection for seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and bilateral toe fungus are remanded due to insufficient evidence.
The deciding factor: New evidence was received that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board found the Veteran's multiple sclerosis may be related to service, but the VA examiner did not address the Veteran's history of falls in service as early symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, multiple sclerosis, seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral toe fungus
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 4, 2023
- Citation
- 23055002
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 23055002.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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