The Board remands the claim for a bilateral ear condition, to include perforated tympanic membrane, chronic ear infection, and eustachian tube dysfunction, as the current medical opinions are inadequate.
The deciding factor: The examination report does not adequately address all conditions present during the appeal period and its reasoning is conclusory.
- Claimed conditions
- perforated tympanic membrane, chronic ear infection, eustachian tube dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 30, 2024
- Citation
- 24032418
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 claims for service connection for eustachian tube dysfunction and right ear hearing loss, as additional evidence is needed to clarify whether the Veteran has a current disability of eustachian tube dysfunction and if it is related to his active service.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from performing the physical and mental acts required for substantially gainful employment prior to April 3, 2018. However, he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on housebound status from April 3, 2018 to May 4, 2022.
- Partly granted
The Board denied ratings in excess of the current levels for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and otitis media; granted a separate 30 percent rating for vertigo; and granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ear condition, including perforated tympanic membrane, chronic ear infection, and eustachian tube dysfunction, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.
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