The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether a perforated right eardrum existed prior to service and was aggravated by service. The Veteran needs to provide VA treatment records, complete a VA Form 21-4142 for any relevant medical providers, and undergo an examination to determine if his current perforated eardrum is related to in-service noise exposure or aggravation of pre-existing conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was insufficient to determine whether the Veteran's perforated right eardrum existed prior to service and was aggravated by service. Therefore, further investigation is needed through an examination and review of records.
- Claimed conditions
- Perforated right eardrum
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 6, 2018
- Citation
- 18147433
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 18147433.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of perforated right eardrum was denied.,Service connection and an initial separate 10 percent rating for tinnitus were granted, but the effective date is not earlier than September 12, 2016.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a perforated right eardrum, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the condition and in-service noise exposure.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for tinnitus and a perforated right ear drum. The underlying issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's perforated right eardrum has been rated as noncompensable since December 3, 2007. The current rating is based on the healed condition of the eardrum and does not include any other symptoms or conditions.
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