The Board has denied service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II due to the lack of a current disability. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded as there were pre-decisional duty to assist errors regarding missing National Guard service records and incomplete VA audiological opinions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no competent evidence demonstrating current diagnoses of coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, or related disabilities for the claims. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims were remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors regarding missing National Guard service records and incomplete VA audiological opinions.
- Claimed conditions
- coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2026
- Citation
- A26039360
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 A26039360.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- 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.
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