The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and a 30 percent rating for left ankle disability based on functional ankylosis is granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's tinnitus was less likely related to in-service noise exposure, but the Board found the evidence at least in equipoise, granting service connection. For the left ankle disability, the VA examiner noted no ankylosis and limited range of motion due to pain during flare-ups, warranting a 30 percent rating based on marked limitation of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, left ankle disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- February 10, 2026
- Citation
- A26012181
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 A26012181.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has expanded the scope of the claim to include any mental health disorder raised by the record and has remanded for additional development regarding service connection for left leg, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
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