The Veteran's cervical spine arthritis and bilateral hearing loss are granted. A rating of 40 percent or higher for lumbar contusion with myositis and lumbar spondylosis, TDIU on April 30, 2014, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) on April 30, 2014, and ratings in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy are granted. The appeal is remanded for further rating determinations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's cervical spine arthritis was found to be related to an in-service motor vehicle accident, meeting the criteria for direct service connection. Bilateral hearing loss was established as a current disability and linked to noise exposure during service. Lumbar contusion with myositis and lumbar spondylosis met the criteria for a 40 percent rating or higher on April 30, 2014. TDIU and SMC were granted based on the Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine arthritis, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 21, 2026
- Citation
- A26005642
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 A26005642.
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.
- 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 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 bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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