The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his active service.,A new VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran currently meets the criteria for a hearing loss disability in his left ear for VA purposes. The examiner must address whether the Veteran’s gastrointestinal, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory issues including rhinitis, and skin conditions are due to disease or injury in active service.,A new VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's gastrointestinal problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory issues including rhinitis, and skin conditions are due to disease or injury in active service. The examiner must address whether these symptoms are attributable to a diagnosed condition with both an etiology and pathophysiology that is at least partially understood in the context of the Veteran’s unique circumstances.,A new VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's gastrointestinal problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory issues including rhinitis, and skin conditions are due to disease or injury in active service. The examiner must address whether these symptoms are attributable to a diagnosed condition with both an etiology and pathophysiology that is at least partially understood in the context of the Veteran’s unique circumstances.,A new VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's gastrointestinal problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory issues including rhinitis, and skin conditions are due to disease or injury in active service. The examiner must address whether these symptoms are attributable to a diagnosed condition with both an etiology and pathophysiology that is at least partially understood in the context of the Veteran’s unique circumstances.
The deciding factor: Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, his right ear hearing loss is related to service.,The VA examiner did not adequately address whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory issues including rhinitis, and skin conditions are due to disease or injury in active service. The examiner also failed to consider all of the Veteran’s reported symptoms during and after service.,The VA examiner did not adequately address whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory issues including rhinitis, and skin conditions are due to disease or injury in active service. The examiner also failed to consider all of the Veteran’s reported symptoms during and after service.,The VA examiner did not adequately address whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory issues including rhinitis, and skin conditions are due to disease or injury in active service. The examiner also failed to consider all of the Veteran’s reported symptoms during and after service.,The VA examiner did not adequately address whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory issues including rhinitis, and skin conditions are due to disease or injury in active service. The examiner also failed to consider all of the Veteran’s reported symptoms during and after service.
- Claimed conditions
- Hearing loss in the right ear, Gastrointestinal problems, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Rhinitis/sinusitis (claimed as a respiratory condition), Skin condition
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 17, 2020
- Citation
- 20054195
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 20054195.
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.
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The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an in-service infection and chronic fatigue syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of his claimed conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC(t) prior to October 16, 2024 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a need for higher level aid and attendance before this date.,For the earlier effective dates of service connection for erectile dysfunction and grant of SMC(k), the claim was also denied as there was no factual basis to establish entitlement prior to April 27, 2022.
- Granted
The Veteran's effective date for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is set to March 11, 2021. He was granted a higher level of SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) at level (n).
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