The Board has withdrawn the issues of increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to new evidence received in March 2021. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress, moderate-severe with psychotic features, anxiety, dysthymic disorder, and an adjustment disorder, has been granted. The issues of service connection for migraines, low back disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded.
The deciding factor: The new evidence received in March 2021 is considered material as it provides lay testimony supporting the Veteran's contention of an in-service incident related to his current low back disability. The other issues remain under consideration due to insufficient medical evidence or need for further examination and opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), acquired psychiatric disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21022947
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 21022947.
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.
- 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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