Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis is found to have substantially contributed to his cause of death, respiratory arrest. The Board grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 19, 2019 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right ankle disability, and left ankle disability have all been denied.,Service connection has not been established for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and has been granted.,The Veteran's kidney cancer and residuals are related to his military service and have been granted.,The Veteran's COPD is related to his military service, specifically exposure to toxic substances like TCDD and asbestos. The claim for COPD remains pending due to the need for a remand.,The Veteran's OSA is related to his military service, specifically exposure to toxic substances like TCDD and asbestos. The claim for OSA remains pending due to the need for a remand.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral eye condition, bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

Service connection is granted for a skin disability, including chronic urticaria, cellulitis with dermatitis, and psoriasis.,Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability.,Service connection is granted for asthma.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is denied for kidney stones.,Service connection is denied for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating greater than 50 percent for a headache disability was dismissed due to the Appellant withdrawing her appeal. The appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable since January 19, 2024. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's appeal for service connection of hypertension was granted and remanded due to new evidence being received.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to April 12, 2021, and at 30 percent following October 1, 2021. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, granting his claim for TDIU.

The Board has found that an earlier effective date for the 50% rating for tension headaches is denied, and the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating for hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral knee pain, bilateral shoulder pain, lower back pain, vision issues, and right big toe issue. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU is granted, but his special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is denied due to the presence of additional service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining service treatment records and other relevant documents. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is being reviewed again with a new opinion from an audiologist.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility to enroll in the PCAFC program was remanded due to errors in notification and lack of a clinical determination as to whether it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate. The AOJ must obtain medical opinions, provide proper notice, and address these issues before making a final decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to noise exposure during his military service. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and resolves reasonable doubt in favor of a link between the hearing loss and the same noise exposure.