The Veteran's claims for service connection for left inguinal hernia surgery and right thumb disability have been withdrawn. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims are denied, as they did not manifest within one year of discharge or to a compensable degree due to intercurrent causes. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his combined 100% disability rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service connection claims were withdrawn by the Veteran and his representative at the March 2019 Board hearing. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest within one year of discharge or to a compensable degree due to intercurrent causes, as evidenced by his in-service audiometric results which reflected normal hearing and objective medical opinions finding no causal relationship between service and these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of left inguinal hernia surgery, right thumb fracture disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability (prior to November 7, 2016), service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability (beginning November 7, 2016), service-connected degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, service-connected neuralgia of the left upper extremity (prior to March 9, 2017), service-connected neuralgia of the right upper extremity (prior to March 9, 2017), service-connected neuralgia of the left upper extremity (beginning March 9, 2017), service-connected neuralgia of the right upper extremity (beginning March 9, 2017)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19173267
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 19173267.
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
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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