The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection, with the decision finding that his in-service noise exposure likely contributed to his current condition.,Service connection for pancreatic cancer is granted due to presumed herbicide agent exposure during active duty service. The VA examiner noted other risk factors but still found a link to service.,The Veteran's restrictive lung disease is granted as service connection, with the decision finding asbestos exposure in service likely contributed to his current condition.
The deciding factor: The evidence was approximately evenly balanced regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was related to in-service acoustic trauma. The Board found that the Veteran's reports of continuous symptoms were credible and resolved reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.,The VA examiner found a link between the Veteran's pancreatic cancer and presumed herbicide agent exposure, considering other risk factors but still finding a connection based on the evidence presented.,The VA examiner noted asbestos exposure likely contributed to the Veteran's restrictive lung disease. Given his service as a Pressure Hull Welder, this was considered significant in determining service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, pancreatic cancer, restrictive lung disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 22, 2026
- Citation
- A26006152
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 A26006152.
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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