The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability of left ear hearing loss to an extent recognized as a disability for VA purposes.,Service connection has been granted for allergic rhinitis. The Board finds that the evidence does not establish whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine condition is directly related to his active military service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not meet the criteria for a hearing disability as set forth in VA regulations, and there is no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology since November 1988.,VA examinations were not conducted prior to the May 2021 rating decision on appeal. The Veteran's STRs reflect an in-service fall that may be related to his current lumbar spine condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ear hearing loss, Allergic rhinitis, Lumbar spine disability, Left knee disability, Right foot disability, Left foot disability, Gastrointestinal symptoms (IBS), Acquired psychiatric disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 24, 2024
- Citation
- A24060184
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 A24060184.
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 regarding attorney fees for past-due benefits awarded in a June 2021 rating decision is dismissed as moot due to the waiver of rights by R.V.C.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remands the case for further development. The Veteran contends his allergic rhinitis began during service, but VA medical opinions have found no link between his current condition and service.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to February 5, 2024, for a 10 percent evaluation of allergic rhinitis was denied. The Veteran also appealed for a higher rating for his allergic rhinitis and this was denied as well.,The Veteran's PTSD with TBI claim is remanded due to inadequate medical examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's request to readjudicate the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability with alcohol and drug abuse is granted. The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the claim has been received, but further development is needed due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding verification of reported deaths in service.
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