The Board remands the claims for service connection for tinnitus, cervical degenerative joint disease with right arm neuropathy, and lumbosacral strain to obtain additional medical opinions.
The deciding factor: The December 2021 VA examiner's opinion was inadequate as it did not address the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure and failed to consider all relevant evidence of record. The February 2022 VA examination for the neck condition was also found inadequate, and a new opinion is needed to consider the etiology of the Veteran's back condition.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, cervical degenerative joint disease with right arm neuropathy, lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 12, 2024
- Citation
- A24073541
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 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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's low back injury occurred during a period of active duty for training (ADT) and continued therefrom.
- 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 tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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