The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of service connection for a back condition, neck condition, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition due to in-service noise exposure. The decision also found that the Veteran's pre-existing back condition was not aggravated by active service.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there is no evidence showing bilateral hearing loss was incurred or aggravated during service, nor did it manifest within one year of separation from service. For the back conditions, the Board noted that the Veteran's pre-existing condition worsened beyond its natural progression due to in-service physical exertion.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, back condition, neck condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 16, 2026
- Citation
- A26023450
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 A26023450.
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 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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