Tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, residuals of thyroidectomy, obstructive sleep apnea, and migraine headaches are remanded for further development.,An acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: Tinnitus was not shown during service or at separation but the Veteran's in-service noise exposure is consistent with the conditions of his service. The Veteran’s competent and credible statements provide a nexus linking his current tinnitus to his in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's hearing loss disability has worsened since the March 2014 VA audiological examination, requiring a more recent evaluation.,Residuals of thyroidectomy, bronchitis, and obstructive sleep apnea may be related to service due to presumed asbestos exposure. The VA examiner’s reliance on the absence of asbestosis does not address whether there is a causal relationship between the events and circumstances of the Veteran's service and his disabilities.,The Veteran has reported headaches in service and post-service, but no recent medical evidence supports a diagnosis of migraine headaches. A VA examination is needed to determine if he currently has this condition.,PTSD was not confirmed by the Veteran’s service records or stressor events. The Veteran's history of harassment and PTSD symptoms require further investigation.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, residuals of thyroidectomy, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19168076
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 19168076.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- 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.
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