The Veteran's high cholesterol is denied as it represents only a laboratory finding and not an actual disability.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, shin splints, and eye disorder are all denied due to lack of current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.,Tinnitus was remanded as there is no direct service connection based on in-service noise exposure. Additional development needed.,Bilateral foot disorder and cervical spine disorder were both found to be normal by VA examiners, with no findings or diagnoses provided.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) is not a disease or disability for which service connection may be granted on a direct basis as it represents only a laboratory finding and not an actual disability.,Service connection cannot be established for acquired psychiatric disability, shin splints, and eye disorder due to lack of current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period. The Veteran has not provided sufficient credible evidence or medical opinion to support her claims.,Tinnitus was remanded as there is no direct service connection based on in-service noise exposure. Additional development needed to determine etiology.,Bilateral foot disorder and cervical spine disorder were both found to be normal by VA examiners, with no findings or diagnoses provided.
- Claimed conditions
- High cholesterol, Acquired psychiatric disability, Shin splints, Eye disorder, Tinnitus, Bilateral foot disorder, Cervical spine disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 1, 2018
- Citation
- 18146746
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 18146746.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and psychiatric disorder due to incomplete information. The Veteran needs to provide his complete service personnel records, verify his alleged combat experience in Vietnam, and undergo VA examinations for both conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
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.