The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his active service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during his active service. The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of hearing loss and tinnitus that had their onset during active service.,Service connection for COPD is remanded due to lack of verification of asbestos exposure, and a VA examination is necessary to determine if any currently diagnosed respiratory disability is related to service or asbestos exposure.,Service connection for a heart disability, to include coronary artery disease, is remanded as the medical evidence is unclear as to whether a current diagnosis of a heart disability exists. A VA examination is necessary to determine if any currently diagnosed heart disability is related to service or herbicide agent exposure.,The Veteran's right index finger Dupuytren's contracture is remanded due to lack of verification of asbestos exposure, and a VA examination is necessary to determine the current severity of his condition.,The Veteran's right little finger Dupuytren's contracture is remanded as there are no medical records indicating any current diagnosis or severity of this condition.
The deciding factor: Resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that the probative evidence demonstrates he has a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus that had their onset during active service.,The VA audiologist's opinion is less likely than not that hearing loss and tinnitus were caused by or a result of his active service. However, other records support the Veteran’s report of exposure to in-service noise due to artillery fire during his active service while aboard the U.S.S. Perkins.,Service connection for COPD is remanded as there is no verification of asbestos exposure. A VA examination is necessary to determine if any currently diagnosed respiratory disability is related to service or asbestos exposure.,Service connection for a heart disability, to include coronary artery disease, is remanded due to unclear medical evidence and the need for a VA examination to determine if any currently diagnosed heart disability is related to service or herbicide agent exposure.,The Veteran's right index finger Dupuytren's contracture is remanded as there are no medical records indicating any current diagnosis or severity of this condition. A VA examination is necessary to determine the current severity of his condition.,The Veteran's right little finger Dupuytren's contracture is remanded due to lack of verification of asbestos exposure and a need for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disability, to include coronary artery disease
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20007755
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a 100 percent initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder.
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