Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's CFS and left ear hearing loss are granted as service-connected under the presumption of soundness at entry, with no aggravation during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, left hip replacement, and PTSD. The decision grants special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors prior to the July 2024 rating decision. The Board requires a complete copy of his Air Force Reserve military personnel and service treatment records, as well as a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied, as well as the claim for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for further verification of his in-service exposure and medical records. The TDIU claim is also deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating adjustments were denied. The appeal was remanded for further action on several issues, including those related to migraines, IBS, and other conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% evaluation effective October 20, 2023. His bilateral hearing loss remains at a 20% rating. The noncompensable hypertension rating is restored to 10%. TDIU and earlier DEA effective date claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions and finds no evidence linking these conditions to service. Therefore, service connection for all issues is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hearing loss prevent him from securing or following gainful employment, leading to a TDIU award.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. The decision did not address any clothing allowance or fee dispute.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, left knee disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are as likely as not related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable during the appeal period, with no worse than Level I in both ears. The Board denied a compensable rating based on the lack of evidence showing an exceptional pattern of hearing loss or other factors warranting a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of hearing loss in either ear.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions (coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, hearing loss, and tinnitus) have impacted his ability to work. The VA has not obtained all relevant records for the determination of TDIU prior to November 17, 2020. Therefore, the case is being remanded to obtain these records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to in-service acoustic trauma and continuous symptoms since separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral spinal stenosis with degenerative arthritis, cervical stenosis with hypertrophic arthropathy, and associated radiculopathy, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been dismissed due to improper concurrent elections. The appeal for service connection for a low back disability and gout has been remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection due to exposure to noise during flight line work in the military.

The Veteran's appeals for Dependents' Educational Assistance and service connection were dismissed due to untimely filings.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings for various conditions, including PTSD, GERD, ankle sprains, knee sprains, and hearing loss, were also dismissed.