Citation Nr: 20005262
Decision Date: 01/22/20	Archive Date: 01/22/20

DOCKET NO. 19-16 876
DATE: January 22, 2020

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran had active service in the Army from January 13, to September 30, 2012 and from October 2013 to February 2017.

1. Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of service connection for tinnitus because, while there is a September 2018 VA examination of record, the Veteran has since expanded his original claim to include the possibility that exposure to jet fuel caused his condition.  The Veteran has also contested the statements assigned to him by in the September 2018 VA examiner, alleging that the examiner failed to discuss tinnitus with him at all during his VA examination.  A new examination and opinion are necessary to consider the Veteran’s allegations and make a decision based on a complete record. 

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any tinnitus.  The examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, including exposure to hazardous noise and exposure to jet fuel.  

2. Readjudicate the Veteran’s claim.

 

L. M. BARNARD

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Attorney for the Board	M. Zimmerman

The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential, and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.