The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, cervical spine disability, left wrist sprain, left ankle disability, musculoskeletal strain (claimed as costochondritis Tietze's syndrome), otitis media, right ear, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to new evidence of ongoing symptoms.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran has submitted statements regarding ongoing symptoms including pain, which indicates a need for updated VA examinations to provide an accurate picture of his current disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disability, cervical spine disability, left wrist sprain, left ankle disability, musculoskeletal strain (claimed as costochondritis Tietze's syndrome), otitis media, right ear, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 15, 2019
- Citation
- 19186284
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a 100 percent initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder.
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