The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable and effective from February 21, 2023.,Service connection for a lumbar strain was granted with an effective date of June 7, 2021. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date but it was denied.,Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been service connected and the effective date is August 8, 2022.,Depressive disorder received a grant with an effective date of June 7, 2021.,Service connection for BPPV was granted as secondary to migraines.,Right hip condition and left hip condition were denied service connection.,Acne, erectile dysfunction, scars, diabetes, left foot condition, right foot condition, and retina condition were all denied service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on audiometric test results from June 2023.,Service connection was granted for lumbar strain with an effective date of June 7, 2021. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date but it was denied as his first claim filed within one year of the intent to file was a claim for migraines.,Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been service connected and the effective date is August 8, 2022.,Depressive disorder received a grant with an effective date of June 7, 2021. The Veteran's first claim filed within one year of the intent to file was for migraines.,Service connection for BPPV was granted as secondary to his service-connected migraines.,Right hip condition and left hip condition were denied service connection based on lack of current diagnoses.,Acne, erectile dysfunction, scars, diabetes, left foot condition, right foot condition, and retina condition were all denied service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Lumbar Strain, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Depressive Disorder, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Right Hip Condition, Left Hip Condition, Acne, Erectile Dysfunction, Scars, Diabetes, Left Foot Condition, Right Foot Condition, Retina Condition
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 15, 2026
- Citation
- A26003976
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26003976.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his active service. The Board noted that while he had complaints of earaches in service, these did not indicate a current disability.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.