The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal cancer due to in-service asbestos exposure. The AOJ is instructed to obtain opinions from appropriate clinicians regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s conditions, including a discussion of the clinical significance of an NCI Fact Sheet.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to support the denial of service connection for the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal cancer claims. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional opinions from clinicians regarding these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 10, 2021
- Citation
- 21013881
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 21013881.
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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