Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and sleep disturbance have been dismissed due to untimely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) filings.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines has been granted, as it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are due to hazardous noise exposure during active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no diagnosed disability for VA purposes during the period under review.

The Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder with dizziness, along with related bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, is rated at 100 percent effective December 1, 2020. The separate ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and related vertigo are discontinued from the same date. Additionally, entitlement to SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (s) based on the statutory housebound rate is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset during service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for right ear hearing loss, and the Board has dismissed the case.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, hypersomnia, and migraine including migraine variants. The evidence established that these conditions had their onset during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level I in the right ear and Level II in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current condition is related to in-service noise exposure and resolving all doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The other conditions are granted with service connection based on in-service exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, TBI, and cognitive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 19, 2023. The Board has granted an earlier effective date for the TDIU with SMC based on housebound criteria.

The Veteran's initial rating for hypertension prior to October 16, 2024 was denied. From October 16, 2024 onwards, a higher than 10 percent rating for hypertension is also denied. The claim for TDIU has been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for earlier effective dates due to a lack of audiogram results from December 2015, which are necessary to determine if an earlier date is warranted. The VA will be required to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus as there were errors in obtaining relevant VA records and providing an adequate medical opinion.

The appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a back disability, left ear hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The Veteran did not submit any new evidence that would support his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied, and his claims for increased ratings for right hip disability are also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for alcohol use disorder is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, dermatosis of the face, neck, and arms, and chronic sinusitis are denied. Service connection for PTSD is granted at a maximum rating. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and hypertension is denied. Service connection for allergic rhinitis is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to compensable ratings for the service-connected spine and hernia disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA standards.