The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records regarding hearing loss and gastrointestinal disorders. An addendum opinion from a VA examiner will be needed to address whether any gastrointestinal disability can be attributed to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness related to service, including Gulf War service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish the presence of a current hearing loss disability and the need for additional development is required to obtain pertinent medical records. An addendum opinion from a VA examiner will be needed to address whether any gastrointestinal disability can be attributed to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness related to service, including Gulf War service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as ulcers)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 16, 2014
- Citation
- 1427260
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 1427260.
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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