The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are denied due to lack of current disability. The Veteran's IBS with abdominal adhesions is currently rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable diagnostic code.,For her service-connected appendectomy scar, a VA examination is needed to determine the number and nature of scars related to her appendectomy.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show current disability for left ear hearing loss or tinnitus. The Veteran's STRs are silent for complaints or treatment of these conditions during service.,For right ear hearing loss, there is no evidence of permanent auditory damage in the STRs and the Veteran was issued a temporary profile due to her hearing loss at separation. For right ear tinnitus, the examiner opined it may be related to chronic middle ear issues.
- Claimed conditions
- Left ear hearing loss, Left ear tinnitus, Irritable bowel syndrome with abdominal adhesions, Right ear hearing loss, Right ear tinnitus, Left knee condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2024
- Citation
- A24083869
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 A24083869.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee strain, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and service connection for a right ankle disorder. Other claims were denied or remanded.
- Denied
The appeal for higher ratings and effective dates for various conditions was denied, with the exception of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy which were granted an earlier effective date.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the claims for a right knee condition, left knee condition, and low back condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD and remanded the issues of a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to TDIU.
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