The Veteran's rhinitis and sinusitis are currently rated at 10% each, but the Board finds no evidence of incapacitating episodes or three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of audiometric data meeting VA criteria. Service connection for hypertension (HTN) is denied as it did not manifest within one year of service and there is no nexus to service. Service connection for chronic diarrhea is denied as the evidence does not support a diagnosis or link to Gulf War service.,Service connection for CFS, RLS, headaches, dyspnea, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's rhinitis and sinusitis do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes or three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the audiometric data does not meet VA criteria for hearing loss.,Service connection for HTN is denied as it did not manifest within one year of service and there is no nexus to service. Service connection for chronic diarrhea is denied due to lack of evidence supporting a diagnosis or link to Gulf War service.
- Claimed conditions
- rhinitis, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension (HTN), chronic diarrhea, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), herpes
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 6, 2026
- Citation
- A26001142
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 A26001142.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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