The Board has dismissed the appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus and remanded the issues of reopening left ear hearing loss, service connection for Meniere’s disease, increase in rating for right ear hearing loss, and rating for lumbar spondylosis. The case is now pending with the VA to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new evidence had been received but did not meet the threshold for reopening the claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss due to lack of a definitive diagnosis or etiology. For Meniere’s disease, the Board noted uncertainties in the clinical records regarding the appropriate diagnosis and etiology.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, Meniere’s disease (vertigo), right ear hearing loss, lumbar spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19171906
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19171906.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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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