The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board will not address higher ratings.,Service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and OSA are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to inadequate consideration of new evidence.,The Veteran's right ankle disability remains remanded as no current disabilities were diagnosed during the VA examination.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations, and his lay statements regarding functional impairment are considered in determining that he is not entitled to a higher rating.,VA examiners did not provide adequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and OSA. The PACT Act requires investigation into Gulf War exposure for OSA.,The VA examiner did not diagnose any current disabilities during the right ankle examination, and remand is necessary to clarify whether the Veteran has any current disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Left Upper Extremity Radiculopathy (to include as secondary to service-connected cervical strain), Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 24, 2026
- Citation
- A26026399
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 A26026399.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.