The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as it is related to his military noise exposure.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for rhinorrhea (rhinitis) is remanded due to the need for clarification on pre-service presence of the condition and in-service reports.,Service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service.,Service connection for right lower extremity sciatica is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service.,Service connection for left hip disability (gluteal muscle strain) is remanded due to the need for clarification on pre-service presence of the condition and in-service reports.,Service connection for left leg pain (muscle cramping) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service.,Service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus is conceded and related to his military noise exposure, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.,There are conflicting reports on whether the Veteran had hearing loss prior to service. The examiner should address this issue and provide an opinion regarding its onset during service.,The Veteran has reported rhinorrhea since service, but there is no indication it existed prior to service. An opinion is needed addressing his contentions and self-treatment.,There are conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran had a thoracolumbar spine disability during service. The examiner should address this issue and provide an opinion regarding its onset during service.,The Veteran has reported right lower extremity sciatica since service, but there is no indication it existed prior to service. An opinion is needed addressing his contentions and self-treatment.,There are conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran had a left hip disability (gluteal muscle strain) during service. The examiner should address this issue and provide an opinion regarding its onset during service.,The Veteran has reported left leg pain since service, but there is no indication it existed prior to service. An opinion is needed addressing his contentions and self-treatment.,There are conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran had a right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis during service. The examiner should address this issue and provide an opinion regarding its onset during service.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, rhinorrhea (rhinitis), thoracolumbar spine disability, right lower extremity sciatica, left hip disability (gluteal muscle strain), left leg pain (muscle cramping), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 25, 2023
- Citation
- 23004858
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 23004858.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
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