The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied as he is already in receipt of the maximum schedular disability rating. The Board found that remand was warranted for additional development and examination regarding his right knee, right knee scars, back, bilateral shoulder disabilities, right hip, and sensorineural hearing loss.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus claim has reached its maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, which is the highest available. The Board found that remand was necessary for additional development to assess the current severity of his right knee disability, right knee scars, back, bilateral shoulder disabilities, right hip, and sensorineural hearing loss.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, right total knee arthroplasty status post revision (previously right knee meniscal tear), back disability, bilateral shoulder disability, right hip disability, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2021
- Citation
- 21077379
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 21077379.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and increased ratings for her bilateral knee disabilities, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.
- 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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