The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus on or at any time after February 16, 2011 has been withdrawn. The earlier effective date claims for scars and tinnitus have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for service-connected residuals of one scar on the chin with one characteristic of disfigurement (Diagnostic Code 7800) and painful residuals of one scar on the chin (Diagnostic Code 7804) is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus, leaving only the earlier effective date claims for scars and tinnitus to be addressed.,The earlier effective date claims for scars and tinnitus have been granted based on continuous prosecution of the claim since September 27, 2002.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, scar on chin with one characteristic of disfigurement (Diagnostic Code 7800), painful scars on the chin (Diagnostic Code 7804), fractured mandible
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 7, 2023
- Citation
- 23060069
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 23060069.
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.
- 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.
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