The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for the issue of service connection for facial scarring. A 10 percent initial rating, but no higher, is granted for tension headaches. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and IBS with GERD are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's facial scarring claim was dismissed as the issue has been resolved by a grant of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The initial rating for tension headaches is granted based on the Veteran's lay statements supporting characteristic prostrating attacks approximately once every couple of months.
- Claimed conditions
- Facial Scarring, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Allergic Rhinitis, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Erectile Dysfunction, Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (IBS with GERD)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 12, 2026
- Citation
- A26022470
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 A26022470.
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.
- 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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