The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for alcohol use disorder is denied.,A disability rating of 100% (total) is granted for PTSD, effective from the date of this decision.,A disability rating of 100% (total) is granted for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, effective from the date of this decision.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have onset during her service and has persisted since, meeting the Shedden test elements.,There is no evidence of an AUD in the record. The Veteran denied significant alcohol intake and provided inconsistent reports regarding her drinking habits.,PTSD symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 100% disability rating under DC 9411.,Thoracolumbar DDD is characterized by forward flexion limited to 40 degrees, but not meeting the criteria for favorable ankylosis or limitation of motion. A total disability rating is warranted based on occupational and social impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral tinnitus, alcohol use disorder (AUD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- March 23, 2026
- Citation
- A26025598
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 A26025598.
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
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