The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for diabetes, hypertension, left knee condition, right knee condition, and tinea pedis are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and hypertension are being remanded because VA did not notify him of unavailability of records from MedHealth Home Care, Alabama Orthopedics Specialists, and Beltone Hearing Center. Additionally, an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his conditions is needed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition and right knee condition are being remanded due to VA not notifying him of unavailability of records from MedHealth Home Care, Alabama Orthopedics Specialists, and Beltone Hearing Center. Additionally, an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his conditions is needed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is being remanded because VA did not notify him of unavailability of records from MedHealth Home Care, Alabama Orthopedics Specialists, and Beltone Hearing Center. Additionally, an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his condition is needed.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining missing medical records and providing adequate opinions on the nature and etiology of the conditions.,VA did not notify the Veteran that certain medical records could not be obtained, which is a duty to assist error. Additionally, an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his diabetes and hypertension is needed as they are related to TERA exposure.,VA did not notify the Veteran that certain medical records could not be obtained, which is a duty to assist error. Additionally, opinions on the nature and etiology of his left knee condition and right knee condition are needed as they relate to Reserve service.,VA did not notify the Veteran that certain medical records could not be obtained, which is a duty to assist error. Additionally, an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his tinea pedis is needed.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, hypertension, left knee condition, right knee condition, tinea pedis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 6, 2026
- Citation
- A26001162
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 A26001162.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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