Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss is granted. Service connection for shin splints, right lower extremity and left lower extremity, tendonitis and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees, and cervical disc protrusion are denied.

The Veteran's spouse applied for PCAFC benefits on the Veteran's behalf. The Board found that the Veteran requires personal care services due to a need for regular or extensive instruction or supervision without which his ability to function in daily life would be seriously impaired. However, the AOJ must obtain an opinion as to whether it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the PCAFC program before making a final determination on eligibility.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss, right knee arthritis with limitation of motion, and right knee instability were denied. The evidence did not support the assignment of higher disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, and a traumatic brain injury condition are remanded due to procedural errors in scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military noise exposure, while the evidence does not support a finding that his current bilateral hearing loss began during service or was caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the claim for eligibility to enroll in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is remanded due to insufficient evidence and lack of proper notice. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a need for personal care services, but this determination was made without adequate medical justification or explanation.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss before a final decision was made.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no current disability meeting the threshold set by VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for a vision loss disability is denied due to lack of competent evidence identifying a current disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and PTSD are granted as service-connected. The lower back, knee, hip, and ankle disabilities are also granted as service-connected, with some conditions being secondary to other service-connected disabilities.,Chronic diarrhea is granted as a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to a failure to provide proper notice regarding the right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to readjudicate his previously denied claims for posttraumatic stress disorder, right shoulder disability, and right ankle disability. The claims are being remanded due to errors in satisfying VA's statutory duties under the PACT Act.

The appeal for service connection for adjustment disorder with depressed mood is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claim of service connection for joint pain, including the bilateral ankles, shoulders, hands, and hips, is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted as service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and bilateral hearing loss are now rated at their maximum levels, with an effective date of April 22, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss that meets the VA definition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, a right shoulder muscle tear with neuropathy (secondary to service-connected lumbar spine strain), and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his current hearing loss disability was caused by in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran is granted a higher level of SMC at the intermediary level N1/2 from October 20, 2020 to June 7, 2022. This decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.