The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, Whipple's disease, a pancreatic condition, an autoimmune disease, and a gallbladder disorder are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need to consider service connection based on exposure to herbicides.,There is no evidence of service connection being sought in this decision.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular rating available, a 10 percent evaluation. The current symptoms do not warrant an increase in evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code.,VA treatment records are needed to determine the extent of bilateral hearing loss and whether it is service-connected. Additionally, there is insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicides for Whipple's disease, pancreatic condition, autoimmune disease, and gallbladder disorder claims.,The Veteran has provided information suggesting potential in-service exposures to herbicides but no definitive link between his current conditions and such exposures.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, Whipple's disease, pancreatic condition, autoimmune disease, gallbladder disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 1, 2022
- Citation
- 22005324
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 22005324.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- 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.
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