The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, scars and headaches, and TBI is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,An earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus cannot be granted as it was received after a final denial.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded because there is insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his TBI, scars, and headaches. A medical examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.,There was no clear and unmistakable error in the initial denial of tinnitus as the claimant did not provide any evidence prior to August 2011 that could be construed as a claim for service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, traumatic brain injury (TBI), scars of the left side of the head, headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 30, 2018
- Citation
- 18145851
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 18145851.
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.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- 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.
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