The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as the VA examination results do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's COPD is currently rated at zero percent, with PFTs showing an FEV-1 of 91% predicted and FEV-1/FVC of 96%, which does not warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6604.,For lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease, the Veteran's current rating is at 20 percent based on forward flexion of 50 degrees and combined range of motion of 125 degrees. The VA examination did not show ankylosis or muscle spasm/severe guarding resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour.,The Veteran's right groin scar has been rated as zero percent, with no evidence of instability or pain.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on audiometric test results and speech recognition scores.,The Veteran's COPD is currently evaluated at noncompensable due to PFT results showing FEV-1 of 91% predicted and FEV-1/FVC of 96%, which do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6604.,For lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease, the Veteran's current evaluation is at 20 percent based on forward flexion of 50 degrees and combined range of motion of 125 degrees. The VA examination did not show ankylosis or muscle spasm/severe guarding resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour.,The Veteran's right groin scar has been rated as zero percent due to lack of evidence of instability or pain.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Lumbosacral Strain, Degenerative Disc Disease, Right Groin Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 12, 2026
- Citation
- A26022465
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 A26022465.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his active service. The Board noted that while he had complaints of earaches in service, these did not indicate a current disability.
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