Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain additional medical evidence.
The deciding factor: The July 2019 VA medical opinion for hearing loss and tinnitus failed to adequately consider the Veteran's service treatment records that demonstrated more than a 5-decibel threshold shift during service. The September 2019 examiner also failed to consider certain STRs from August 1983 and May 1984.
- Claimed conditions
- left ear hearing loss disability, right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to lumbar spine disability), left lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to lumbar spine disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 31, 2025
- Citation
- A25009166
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