The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, right knee tendonitis, and right ear hearing loss have been granted. Claims for left hand injury, kidney stones, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorder, left shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and fatty liver disease were denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran had symptoms of lumbar spine and right knee disabilities in service and since service separation. The current right ear hearing loss is etiologically related to acoustic trauma during service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain (lumbar spine disability), right knee tendonitis (right knee disability), right ear hearing loss, left hand injury, kidney stones, acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorder (stimulant use disorder), left shoulder strain (left shoulder disorder), left knee meniscal tear (left knee disorder), fatty liver disease, umbilical hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2026
- Citation
- A26023074
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 A26023074.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for onychomycosis was denied as the condition did not require treatment and covered less than 5% of his body. The Board also remanded issues regarding service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss.
- Denied
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For TDIU, the Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities but his education and work experience were sufficient for sedentary or light labor employment.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of right ear hearing loss, and the case is dismissed.
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