The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 4, 2021 for service connection for hypertension on a facts-found basis. The reduction in the rating from 20 percent to 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied as it was not based on evidence of improvement.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension disability existed prior to October 4, 2021 and service connection could be established on a facts-found basis due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was not based on evidence of improvement.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 8, 2026
- Citation
- A26032136
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 A26032136.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- 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.
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