The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted, but his right ear hearing loss and right shoulder disability are denied. The Veteran's right clavicle, scapula, AC joint and sternoclavicular joint conditions are granted a 20 percent rating, while allergic rhinitis, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, left knee strain, right knee strain, bilateral hip disability, and low back disability are denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service. The right ear hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a current diagnosis. The right shoulder disability meets the DCs for limitation of motion at the shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction limited to 160 degrees).
- Claimed conditions
- Left ear hearing loss, Right ear hearing loss, Right clavicle, scapula, acromioclavicular (AC) joint and sternoclavicular joint conditions, Allergic rhinitis, Plantar fasciitis of the left foot, Left knee strain, Right knee strain, Bilateral hip disability, Low back disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 18, 2026
- Citation
- A26024303
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 A26024303.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there was no nexus between his current condition and active duty service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability alone does not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remands the case for further development. The Veteran contends his allergic rhinitis began during service, but VA medical opinions have found no link between his current condition and service.
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