The claims for service connection have been reopened, and tinnitus has been granted. The left forearm and hand disorder is denied as already compensated by the partial amputation. The acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD) and a back disorder are remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not provide sufficient nexus between current symptoms and service to grant service connection for all issues, with some issues being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence or need for further examination.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left forearm and hand disorder (partial amputation), acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder, PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 2, 2023
- Citation
- 23025200
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 23025200.
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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