The Veteran's PTSD rating is denied as the severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for migraine headaches secondary to PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, cervical spine strain, and/or tinnitus is remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion.,Left ear hearing loss has been granted but no compensable disability rating assigned yet. The issue of right ear hearing loss remains unresolved.,New evidence must be considered to determine if it warrants reopening the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet criteria for total occupational and social impairment, thus a higher rating is denied.,The VA examination report was inadequate in addressing secondary service connection claims. A new examination is needed to provide proper opinions.,VA must obtain all relevant clinical documentation to determine if the Veteran has left ear hearing loss that warrants a compensable disability rating.,New evidence must be evaluated to determine if it provides sufficient grounds to reopen the claim for right ear hearing loss.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Migraine Headaches, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Cervical Spine Strain, Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 18, 2021
- Citation
- 21069366
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 21069366.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
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