The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and scheduling an audiology examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left ear disabilities.
The deciding factor: Additional evidence is needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claim, particularly regarding his hearing loss and recent symptoms related to his service-connected left ear disability.
- Claimed conditions
- left otitis media, left Eustachian tube dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 12, 2013
- Citation
- 1322372
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 1322372.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the intermediate rate between the (m) and (n) rates based on his service-connected conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus and TDIU prior to June 29, 2010 is being remanded due to the need for further development.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) is also being remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for left otitis media was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for a spine disability and balance problems secondary to perforated left tympanic membrane were also denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected left otitis media and eustachian tube dysfunction, as well as the issue of service connection for a disability manifested by earache and/or dizziness other than left otitis media and left Eustachian tube dysfunction, is being remanded due to incomplete development. The Veteran's attorney noted that the examiner did not review evidence submitted in support of his claim.
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