The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for lumbar spine disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, unspecified), and dyslipidemia. The Board finds that these claims are reopened.,No new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for dyslipidemia.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, unspecified).,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to his active duty service. The issue is remanded for further development.,The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis of traumatic brain injury and thus denies the claim.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus prior to the promulgation of a decision in the appeal.,New and material evidence has been received, including information about the Veteran's deployment to Southwest Asia where he was exposed to a significant mortar explosion. This new evidence relates to an unestablished element of the previously denied claim (service connection) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim as it potentially establishes a connection between a current condition and an event in service.,No new and material evidence has been received related to this issue, thus denying the request to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for dyslipidemia.,New and material evidence has been received, including information about the Veteran's deployment to Southwest Asia where he was exposed to a significant mortar explosion. This new evidence relates to an unestablished element of the previously denied claim (service connection) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim as it potentially establishes a connection between a current condition and an event in service.,The Veteran reported symptoms of sleep apnea during his active duty service, which was diagnosed shortly after separation. The Board resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran and finds that his obstructive sleep apnea was incurred in service.,There is no current diagnosis of traumatic brain injury found by VA medical records or other competent evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, dyslipidemia, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, unspecified), obstructive sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 1, 2018
- Citation
- 18123337
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 18123337.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.