The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety) are remanded due to inadequate examination findings and need further development.,The Veteran’s skin disabilities of the back and ears are remanded due to insufficient exposure basis documentation.,Service connection for a spine disability is remanded.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not adequately address whether noise exposure in service or other symptomatology in service could have led to the Veteran developing hearing loss during the pendency of the appeal or within one year following service. The Board finds that it is unable to make a fully informed decision as to whether the Veteran served in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea in the Republic of Vietnam.,The VA examination did not adequately address whether noise exposure in service or other symptomatology in service could have led to the Veteran developing hearing loss during the pendency of the appeal or within one year following service. The Board finds that it is unable to make a fully informed decision as to whether the Veteran served in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea in the Republic of Vietnam.,The VA examiner did not adequately address whether herbicide exposure was present and sufficient for presumptive service connection under the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. The Board finds that it is unable to make a fully informed decision as to whether the Veteran served within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea in the Republic of Vietnam.,The VA examiner did not adequately address whether noise exposure in service or other symptomatology in service could have led to the Veteran developing hearing loss during the pendency of the appeal or within one year following service. The Board finds that it is unable to make a fully informed decision as to whether the Veteran served in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea in the Republic of Vietnam.,The VA examiner did not adequately address whether noise exposure in service or other symptomatology in service could have led to the Veteran developing hearing loss during the pendency of the appeal or within one year following service. The Board finds that it is unable to make a fully informed decision as to whether the Veteran served in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea in the Republic of Vietnam.,The VA examiner did not adequately address whether noise exposure in service or other symptomatology in service could have led to the Veteran developing hearing loss during the pendency of the appeal or within one year following service. The Board finds that it is unable to make a fully informed decision as to whether the Veteran served in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea in the Republic of Vietnam.,The VA examiner did not adequately address whether noise exposure in service or other symptomatology in service could have led to the Veteran developing hearing loss during the pendency of the appeal or within one year following service. The Board finds that it is unable to make a fully informed decision as to whether the Veteran served in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea in the Republic of Vietnam.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, spine disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), skin disability of the back, skin disability of the ears
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21016127
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 21016127.
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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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