The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied, while his cervical degenerative arthritis and lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative arthritis are remanded for further evaluation.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not meet the criteria for a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus as defined by VA regulations. The Veteran's service connection claims were denied based on lack of evidence meeting the regulatory definition of a hearing loss disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Cervical Degenerative Arthritis, Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Degenerative Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 19, 2026
- Citation
- A26015480
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 A26015480.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- 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.
- 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 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.
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