The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right ankle and swollen joints (to include rheumatoid arthritis and nerve damage), as well as an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.,Clarification is needed regarding the Veteran's claim for swollen joints, which may be related to a systemic arthritis or possibly aggravated by pes planus. The Board also seeks clarification on what disability is being claimed on appeal.,The case of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss (BHL) disability is remanded.
The deciding factor: Additional development, including obtaining relevant records from the SSA and VA/privates treatment providers, clarifying the Veteran's claim for swollen joints, and scheduling medical examinations are needed to determine the appropriate disposition of these issues.,Clarification on what disability is being claimed on appeal and addressing potential secondary service connection for right ankle pain due to pes planus. Clarification on in-service exposures may be necessary.,A new medical examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.
- Claimed conditions
- right ankle, swollen joints (to include rheumatoid arthritis and nerve damage), bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 26, 2024
- Citation
- 24012663
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 24012663.
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 withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, as the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.
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