The Board has determined that new and material evidence to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder has not been received. The Veteran's tinnitus is assigned a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD with anxiety and insomnia (acquired psychiatric disorder), bilateral metatarsalgia (foot disorder), and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations. The claim for service connection for hepatitis C is also remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence received sufficient to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder, as the Veteran's tinnitus is already assigned the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 6260. The claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.
- Claimed conditions
- respiratory disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with anxiety and insomnia (acquired psychiatric disorder), bilateral metatarsalgia (foot disorder), bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 20, 2021
- Citation
- 21023441
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 21023441.
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 bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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