The appeal for an earlier effective date for tinnitus was denied, and the issues of service connection for a bilateral foot disability, heart disability, and TDIU were remanded due to an inextricably intertwined issue regarding the character of discharge.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim for tinnitus prior to June 23, 2017, and thus an earlier effective date is not warranted based on the date of claim. The issues of service connection are remanded due to an inextricably intertwined issue regarding the character of discharge from service.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral foot disability (pes planus), heart disability (coronary artery disease, heart block, status post myocardial infarction)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 27, 2025
- Citation
- A25028461
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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a 100 percent initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder.
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