This decision denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remands the issues of service connection for left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, and residuals of the left 4th and 5th finger dislocation. The effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals of the left 4th and 5th finger dislocation is also being remanded.,Entitlement to an earlier effective date than December 17, 2014, for the award of service connection for residuals of the left 4th and 5th finger dislocation is denied.
The deciding factor: For bilateral hearing loss: The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss under VA regulations.,For left wrist disorder and right wrist disorder: No medical examination was provided, so an opinion could not be given regarding the etiology of these disorders.,For residuals of the left 4th and 5th finger dislocation: An earlier effective date is denied because there are no records prior to December 17, 2014, indicating entitlement to service connection for this condition.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, residuals of the left 4th and 5th finger dislocation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 4, 2018
- Citation
- 18107590
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18107590.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
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.