The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but the Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records and consider whether his current hearing loss disability meets VA's definition of a disability.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus. The Veteran contends that he developed this condition during active duty due to noise exposure. However, there are no service treatment records documenting the onset or diagnosis of tinnitus. A remand is necessary to obtain an updated medical opinion addressing whether his current tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset and course of his tinnitus are given significant weight, but a new examination is needed to determine if there is credible evidence supporting his claims.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, squamous cell cancer at the base of the tongue
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 31, 2022
- Citation
- 22049642
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 22049642.
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 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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