The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability.,PTSD was granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but not more than that. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show current hearing loss or PTSD symptoms meeting the required severity levels for a higher rating under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), left hand scar, eye condition (to include cataracts), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), excessive sweating due to heat exhaustion, recurrent lightheadedness due to heat exhaustion
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2026
- Citation
- A26004418
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 A26004418.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
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