Service connection for tinnitus has been granted, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service. The Veteran's right big toe hallux valgus claim remains pending and will be remanded.,The claims of service connection for sinusitis and lumbar strain (claimed as back injury) are also pending and will be remanded due to insufficient rationale in the prior VA opinion.
The deciding factor: Service connection for tinnitus was granted based on credible lay evidence and a finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have persisted.,The claims of sinusitis and lumbar strain (claimed as back injury) will be remanded because the prior VA opinions did not provide sufficient rationale regarding whether these conditions had their onset in service or are otherwise related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, right big toe hallux valgus, sinusitis, lumbar strain (claimed as back injury)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 5, 2026
- Citation
- A26019928
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 A26019928.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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 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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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