The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the issues of increased ratings for shell fragment wound residuals of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as the issue of TDIU.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service noise exposure and continued symptoms since service, which were supported by his wife’s statements and other medical evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, shell fragment wound residuals of the left upper extremity, shell fragment wound residuals of the right upper extremity, shell fragment wound residuals of the left lower extremity, shell fragment wound residuals of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18139329
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 18139329.
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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