The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as the evidence does not show a compensable level of impairment.,Tinnitus is already evaluated at its maximum schedular rating of ten percent and no higher rating is available under the applicable criteria.,The acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder with mixed features of anxiety and depressed mood) is rated at fifty percent, which is the highest schedular rating available. The Veteran's symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are considered to be equivalent to the level required for a 50% rating.,Service connection for neck pain was denied due to lack of evidence showing that cervical arthritis began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for headaches remains pending as the Board has remanded this issue.

The deciding factor: The criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are not met due to the Veteran's audiometric test results, which yield Level I in both ears. The evidence does not show an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.,Tinnitus is already rated at its maximum schedular rating of ten percent and no higher rating is available under the applicable criteria.,The acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder with mixed features of anxiety and depressed mood) symptoms are considered to be equivalent to the level required for a 50% rating, as they include flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impairment of short and long-term memory, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.,Service connection for neck pain was denied because the evidence does not show that cervical arthritis began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. The disability has not been shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for headaches remains pending as the Board has remanded this issue.

Claimed conditions

bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder with mixed features of anxiety and depressed mood), neck pain, headaches

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

February 20, 2026

Citation

A26015575

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 A26015575.