The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD, low back disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The issues related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have also been remanded due to potential changes in the Veteran's condition since his last examination.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there may be additional benefits available to the Veteran and decided to remand the claims for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations and reviewing any outstanding treatment records.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Alcohol Use Disorder, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine with Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (Low Back Disorder), Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 24, 2021
- Citation
- 21010227
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 21010227.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
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