The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a neck disability and remanded several other issues due to the need for additional evidence. The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, ear infections, sinus infections, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus (secondary to left ear hearing loss), and left cholesteatoma are also being remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board needs to obtain updated VA treatment records and any relevant private treatment records to determine the current status of the Veteran's conditions. Additionally, a new VA medical examination is required for issues involving tinnitus and left ear cholesteatoma.
- Claimed conditions
- Ear Infections, Left Cholesteatoma (developed as tumor with removal of eardrum), Left Ear Hearing Loss, Neck Disability (excessive curvature of cervical spine), Right Ear Hearing Loss, Sinus Infections, Tinnitus (secondary to left ear hearing loss)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19156411
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 19156411.
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: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on in-service noise exposure or other theories.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's ear infections and tinnitus. The claim will be reviewed with a new examination to determine if the ear infections are at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by her service-connected tinnitus.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran was granted a TDIU with a September 19, 2024 effective date based on his PTSD, emphysema, and COPD symptoms. His diabetes, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss were not found to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 19, 2024.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in service and is less likely than not caused by noise exposure during his military service.
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