The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, a depressive disorder, and a substance-related disorder), and sleep apnea as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder. Additional evidence is needed from VA treatment records and Social Security Administration.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's in-service stressors are not credible due to the timing of his service and combat operations. A medical opinion is necessary to determine whether any current acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD or a substance-related disorder is related to service, including service in the Persian Gulf region from September 1990 to January 16, 1991.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, a depressive disorder, and a substance-related disorder), sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 24, 2021
- Citation
- 21031662
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 21031662.
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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