The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the evidence is new and material, as it relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim - his tinnitus being related to noise exposure during service.,For the bilateral hearing loss disability, the Veteran's claim was not reopened because no new and material evidence was received since the April 2012 rating decision. The Board found that the evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim - his hearing loss not being related to service.
The deciding factor: The May 2019 VA opinion established a causal connection between the Veteran's tinnitus and noise exposure during service, which is sufficient for service connection.,The September 2016 C&P Exam found that the low back disorder was less likely related to bilateral knee disabilities due to a motor vehicle accident after service.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), low back disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19195471
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 19195471.
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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