The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,PTSD and panic disorder with claustrophobia and acrophobia are remanded for further review due to the need for additional evidence and examination.,Chronic liver disease is remanded for a VA examination addressing both direct and secondary service connection possibilities.,GERD is remanded for a VA examination considering its potential relationship to major depressive disorder, obesity, or other service-connected conditions.,Obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination assessing the nature and etiology of the condition, including consideration of its relation to major depressive disorder and obesity.
The deciding factor: The evidence is at least in relative equipoise that tinnitus had its onset in service.,PTSD and panic disorder with claustrophobia and acrophobia are remanded due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service, including the need for verification of stressors and consideration of mental health diagnoses identified in VA records.,Chronic liver disease is remanded as no VA examination has yet been conducted addressing potential direct or secondary service connection.,GERD is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its relationship to major depressive disorder and obesity, necessitating further medical evaluation.,Obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a comprehensive examination considering the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and obesity.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder with claustrophobia and acrophobia, chronic liver disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20062827
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 20062827.
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 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
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