The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for squamous cell cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to potential etiological links to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran's squamous cell cancer claim is being referred for a medical opinion, while his hearing loss and tinnitus claims are also being referred for an addendum opinion addressing the 15 decibel shift between induction and separation examinations.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran’s claims of service connection were inextricably intertwined due to the potential link between noise exposure and hearing loss, as well as the need to address the 15 decibel shift in his right ear. The remand also includes a request for medical opinions on the etiology of squamous cell cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 8, 2018
- Citation
- 18148913
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 18148913.
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 service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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