The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset and relationship to service. Service connection for a neck disability and headaches is also remanded. Service connection for vertigo remains in dispute.
The deciding factor: The Board found no medical evidence linking the Veteran's tinnitus to service or any other incident of service, including his reported noise exposure during service. The acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) was not linked to service due to conflicting opinions on its onset and relationship to service-connected conditions. Service connection for a neck disability and headaches is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), neck disability, headaches, vertigo
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 26, 2021
- Citation
- 21032141
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21032141.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- 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.
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