The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, lumbar degenerative disc disease and small disc herniation, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The Veteran's service connection claims are not currently supported by evidence of a current disability or a link between his in-service exposure and any diagnosed conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish current disabilities for hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, lumbar radiculopathy, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's service connection claims are therefore not supported by the evidence of record at this time.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease and Small Disc Herniation at L4-L5, Left Lower Extremity Lumbar Radiculopathy, Right Lower Extremity Lumbar Radiculopathy, Erectile Dysfunction, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood), Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19179149
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and a higher rating for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy with muscle weakness, but granted an earlier effective date for the 60 percent disability rating for thrombosis, TIA or cerebral infarction with impairment of sphincter control and voiding dysfunction, and for service connection for pharynx and/or larynx and/or swallowing conditions residuals.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, entitlement to TDIU, and SMC based on housebound status.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of May 17, 2019, for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD but denied earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
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.