The Board denied a rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus and remanded the claims for ratings greater than 20 percent for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and greater than 30 percent for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the fact that the Veteran's tinnitus is already assigned the maximum disability rating authorized under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260, and the claims for higher ratings for CTS were remanded to cure a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 28, 2025
- Citation
- A25028921
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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