The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to the ameliorative effects of medication.,The Veteran's lumbar spine IVDS status post compression fracture, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 40 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms.,Service connection has been granted for abnormal renal function, erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, prostate condition, and hernia due to exposure to toxic risk exposure activities (TERA) in service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at the maximum available under DC 6100. The evidence does not show that his hearing impairment meets or exceeds the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's hypertension has been treated with medication, and the ameliorative effects of this treatment are considered in determining whether he warrants a higher rating under DC 7101.,The Veteran's lumbar spine IVDS status post compression fracture, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated at the maximum available under DC 8520. The evidence does not show that his symptoms meet or exceed the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection has been granted for abnormal renal function, erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, prostate condition, and hernia due to exposure to toxic risk exposure activities (TERA) in service.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Hypertension, Lumbar Spine IVDS status post compression fracture, IVDS right lower extremity radiculopathy, IVDS left lower extremity radiculopathy, Abnormal renal function, Erectile dysfunction, Hypogonadism, Prostate condition, Hernia
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 4, 2026
- Citation
- A26010628
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 A26010628.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
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