The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, a psychiatric disorder (anxiety), sarcoidosis, squamous cell carcinoma (cancer of the head and neck), residuals of a tonsillectomy, scar status post thoracotomy, right ear hearing loss, and right shoulder disability due to in-service exposure to acoustic trauma. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claims were not decided based on a presumption or secondary theory but rather on direct evidence, and thus the appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of each condition.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, sleep apnea, psychiatric disorder (anxiety), sarcoidosis, squamous cell carcinoma (cancer of the head and neck), residuals of a tonsillectomy, scar status post thoracotomy, right ear hearing loss, right shoulder disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 29, 2022
- Citation
- 22018542
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 22018542.
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 Veteran's right shoulder disability and migraines/chronic headaches are remanded for additional development due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of her conditions.
- 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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