The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bulging and deteriorating discs in the back, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran's assertions of injury during service have been met, and further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the preliminary threshold for service connection (injury in service) has now been met by hearing testimony, and a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's assertions regarding his back condition. Similar reasoning applies to the claims for hearing loss and tinnitus, where the Veteran's lay assertions need further evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- bulging and deteriorating discs in the back, hearing loss, tinnitus, a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive disorder, not otherwise specified
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18114607
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 18114607.
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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