The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and dysthymic disorder) due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives. The AOJ is instructed to schedule VA examinations and obtain outstanding VA treatment records.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the AOJ did not substantially comply with the December 2018 remand directives, specifically failing to conduct the requested examinations or obtain the requested opinions due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled examinations. The Board also noted practical difficulties in scheduling an examination during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD and dysthymic disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21003266
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 21003266.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- 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.
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