The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's IBS is denied as the record does not show continuity of symptoms since service or a nexus to service.,The Veteran's low back disorder is remanded due to inadequate opinion in the September 2018 VA examination.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no evidence of impaired hearing for VA purposes, and thus no disability for which service connection can be granted. The examiner also noted a lack of continuity of symptoms since service.,The examiner did not find any nexus between the Veteran's IBS and his service, as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or symptomatology related to service.,The VA examiner failed to consider all relevant evidence in formulating an opinion regarding the low back disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), low back disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 3, 2023
- Citation
- 23059646
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 23059646.
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 service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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