The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities due to inadequate examination in the November 2019 rating decision. The issues are: entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, entitlement to a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss, entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for paralysis of the 10th cranial nerve, and entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left shoulder paresis of the 11th cranial nerve. The remand is due to the inadequate examination that did not consider all associated symptoms.
The deciding factor: The November 2019 VA examination was inadequate as it did not adequately address the Veteran's reported sinus and left shoulder symptoms associated with his service-connected cranial nerve disabilities, which are relevant for rating purposes.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, paralysis of the 10th cranial nerve, left shoulder paresis of the 11th cranial nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2023
- Citation
- A23033954
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A23033954.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.