The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected headaches. His bilateral hearing loss and severe fatigue are denied due to lack of current disability for VA purposes, while hip problems, a permanent limp, skin breakouts, and skin irritation are denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has not met the criteria for a current disability for VA purposes in terms of hearing loss or fatigue. The Board found that his tinnitus is secondary to his service-connected headaches and granted it accordingly. His bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not meet the regulatory threshold for hearing loss, and his severe fatigue was considered part of his already service-connected PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, severe fatigue (as a disability separate from PTSD), hip problems, a disability manifested as a permanent limp, skin breakouts, skin irritation
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 26, 2026
- Citation
- A26017738
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 A26017738.
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.
- 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 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.
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