The Board remands the claims for service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder to correct pre-decision duty-to-assist errors.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners' opinions were found inadequate due to their reliance on the absence of contemporaneous medical evidence, failure to address lay statements, and lack of consideration of the Veteran's MOS and service history. Additionally, the RO relied on an inadequate medical opinion regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 30, 2025
- Citation
- A25094186
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