The veteran is seeking service connection for left ear tinnitus, which he claims was caused by noise exposure during his military service as an anti-aircraft gunner. The VA has not been able to obtain the veteran's service medical records due to a fire at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973 and thus cannot determine if there is a connection between his current tinnitus and his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA was unable to locate the veteran's service medical records, which are presumed destroyed by a fire in 1973. Without these records, it is not possible to determine whether the veteran's current left ear tinnitus is related to his military service as an anti-aircraft gunner.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 20, 2004
- Citation
- 0423000
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0423000.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The appeal for service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss was denied.,The appeal for service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss was denied.,Service connection for right ear tinnitus is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for left ear tinnitus is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for right foot disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for left foot disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for right ankle disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for back disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for right knee disability secondary to service-connected right foot disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for left knee disability secondary to service-connected left foot disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to service-connected right and left knee disabilities is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and left ear tinnitus but denied it for right ear hearing loss.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for back disability, left foot plantar fasciitis, respiratory condition, skin condition, left leg shin splints, right leg shin splints, left knee disability, left leg arthritis, right knee disability, and right leg arthritis. However, the Veteran's claim for migraine headaches was granted.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for left ear tinnitus as the evidence did not support a finding that it began during active service or was related to an in-service injury.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.