The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of all diagnoses during the appeal period.,Service connection for bilateral knee disability is remanded due to the need for a VA examination considering in-service stressors and current symptoms.,Service connection for bilateral hip disability is remanded due to the need for a VA examination considering in-service stressors and current symptoms.,Service connection for back disability is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of all relevant medical records.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during service, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.,PTSD criteria were not met based on the July 2015 VA examination. A new VA examination is needed to consider other diagnoses and stressors.,In-service stressors are relevant for bilateral knee disability. The Veteran should be provided a VA examination to determine if current conditions pre-existed service or underwent an increase in severity due to service.,In-service stressors are relevant for bilateral hip disability. The Veteran should be provided a VA examination to determine if current conditions pre-existed service or underwent an increase in severity due to service.,The February 2017 VA examiner found the low back strain is less likely than not related to in-service complaints and treatment, but further evidence is needed.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)), bilateral knee disability, bilateral hip disability, back disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 9, 2022
- Citation
- 22033917
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 22033917.
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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