The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on his current hearing acuity levels. For the lumbar degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, the Board remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination findings regarding flare-ups.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as non-compensably disabling, with no worse than Level I impairment in both ears based on audiometric testing. The examiner found that his current hearing acuity did not warrant a higher rating. For the lumbar degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, the Board noted inconsistencies between the Veteran's reported flare-ups and the findings of the July 2021 VA examination.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, lumbar degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 12, 2024
- Citation
- A24055924
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 A24055924.
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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