The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial evaluation for service-connected bilateral tinnitus is denied.,All other issues are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.
The deciding factor: There is no legal basis for a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral tinnitus, as it has already been assigned the maximum schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Code 6260.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Tinnitus, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Hypertension, Residuals of Cold Injuries of the Upper and Lower Extremities, Bilateral Foot Disability Other Than Cold Injury Residuals, Acquired Psychiatric Disability (PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Alcohol Dependence, Polysubstance Abuse), Hepatitis C, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Service-Connected Left Forearm Scar, Residuals of Skin Infection of the Left Foot
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18160580
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 18160580.
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 Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
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