The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, neck condition, and left thumb scar were all granted. The decision also noted that the Veteran does not have a current cognizable hearing loss disability or a current neck disability. Service connection was established for the left thumb scar.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner provided positive nexus opinions in favor of service connection for the left thumb scar, despite the lack of in-service medical records and post-service treatment records indicating no current disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss Disability, Neck Condition, Left Thumb Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 5, 2026
- Citation
- A26000456
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 A26000456.
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 determined that the Veteran does not have a current right shoulder condition or neck condition, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The claims of service connection for a neck condition as secondary to a service-connected right wrist condition and for bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to insufficient evidence.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and earlier effective dates for tension headaches and lower back condition. The remaining issues of service connection for eye, neck, persistent cough, TBI residuals, and bilateral leg conditions are REMANDED.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection regarding his right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and neck condition should be remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claims will now be adjudicated with appropriate medical examinations.
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