The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that her tinnitus began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.,An earlier effective date of December 13, 2013, but no earlier, has been granted for the grant of service connection for right ankle tendonitis. The Veteran's informal claim was received on December 13, 2013.,The Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating from December 13, 2013, for bilateral tendonitis. However, an increased rating in excess of 10 percent is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for a low back condition (DDD L4-5) is remanded as the February 2015 VA examiner could not provide a medical opinion without imaging testing and additional review of records. The examiner will be asked to address whether the Veteran's scoliosis, diagnosed in service, was congenital.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded as there are insufficient records available for evaluation.

The deciding factor: Service connection cannot be established because the evidence does not support a finding that the tinnitus began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's informal claim was received within one year of her formal claim, and it identified the general benefit sought (service connection for tendonitis).,A new VA examination is needed due to the February 2015 examiner's inability to make necessary findings without resorting to speculation. The Veteran's bilateral tendonitis warrants a minimum rating of 10 percent from December 13, 2013.,The February 2015 VA examiner could not provide an opinion due to the lack of imaging testing and additional records review. The remand includes asking the examiner to address whether the Veteran's scoliosis was congenital.,There are insufficient medical records available for a comprehensive evaluation of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder claim.

Claimed conditions

tinnitus, right ankle tendonitis, low back condition (DDD L4-5), acquired psychiatric disorder

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 27, 2021

Citation

21076824

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 21076824.