Service connection is granted for tinnitus and hypertension prior to August 10, 2022 on a direct basis.,Service connection is denied for CFS, respiratory disorder other than obstructive sleep apnea, GERD, left hand disorder, right hand disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and left hip disorder.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus was caused by in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's hypertension was caused by in-service exposure to airborne metals and air pollution. There is no evidence of current CFS or respiratory disorder other than obstructive sleep apnea. GERD did not begin in service, it is not related to service, and there is no evidence linking it to his Gulf War service.,The Veteran's left hand disorder, right hand disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and left hip disorder are not related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), respiratory disorder other than obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left hand disorder, right hand disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left hip disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 13, 2026
- Citation
- 26002086
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 26002086.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- 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.
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