The Veteran's xerostomia is not rated compensably, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's tinnitus remains at its current 10% rating, as no higher rating is available under Diagnostic Code 6260.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disability, variously diagnosed as PTSD, claustrophobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran's xerostomia includes hoarseness with inflammation of cords or mucous membranes, thickening or nodules of cords, polyps, submucous infiltration, or pre-malignant changes on biopsy.,Diagnostic Code 6260 only allows for a single 10% rating for tinnitus, regardless of the number of ears affected. The Veteran's symptoms are therefore not rated higher than 10%.,The medical evidence supports that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is related to his service aboard USS Lafayette.
- Claimed conditions
- xerostomia, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, claustrophobia, generalized anxiety disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 31, 2026
- Citation
- A26028901
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 A26028901.
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 claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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