The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, while the appeals for other conditions were remanded for further review.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish a current disability of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations. The claims for psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea require additional medical evidence to support a link between these conditions and service.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral hearing loss, Acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder), Obstructive sleep apnea, Hemorrhoids, Respiratory insufficiency, dyspnea, Allergic rhinitis, Chronic sinusitis, Functional abdominal pain syndrome/abdominal pain and bloating, Irritable bowel syndrome, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Right restless leg syndrome, Leg restless leg syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 6, 2025
- Citation
- A25086141
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,432 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A25086141.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remands the case for further development. The Veteran contends his allergic rhinitis began during service, but VA medical opinions have found no link between his current condition and service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
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