Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of cervical injury and PTSD due to procedural errors. The Veteran's current conditions include bilateral hearing loss, cervical injury, and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for various disabilities were dismissed due to their death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, but new evidence has been submitted and the claims are being readjudicated.,Service connection for tinnitus prior to March 13, 2023, is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent effective April 22, 2021.,TDIU was granted effective May 22, 2012. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date due to his service-connected disabilities alone.,DEA benefits were granted effective May 22, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the claims of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral hearing loss. The RO failed in its duty to assist by not treating these as increased rating claims rather than service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA and COPD on a secondary basis, as well as the initial rating for constipation. The issues of entitlement to SMC-HB and TDIU have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.,For bilateral hearing loss disability, the Board found no nexus between current symptoms and service exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for OSA, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence being added to the record. The Veteran's OSA is related to his obesity as an intermediary factor, but it was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. His bilateral hearing loss may be related to noise exposure in service, but further examination is needed.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all listed conditions was dismissed due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a skin condition, gonorrhea and any residuals, right and left ankle disabilities, mesothelioma (shortness of breath), and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was received on February 11, 2010. The Board found that the April 2010 rating decision did not become final due to the Veteran's Notice of Disagreement filed within one year of the decision. Therefore, the effective date for the grant of service connection is set at February 11, 2010.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the current disabilities are related to exposure to noise during service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 5, 2022 was denied. From April 5, 2022, the Veteran is granted a 40% rating for his bilateral hearing loss. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is currently rated noncompensable, and the Board denied an increased rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity scars are currently rated noncompensable, and the Board denied an increased rating.,The post gynecomastia surgical scars are currently rated noncompensable, and the Board denied an increased rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination and a need for further medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date than January 8, 2024, for additional dependency compensation for his child K. M. M., based on school attendance, is dismissed as the appeal was docketed improperly due to concurrent administrative review options.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of hearing loss, tinnitus, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn by his authorized representative, resulting in the dismissal of all issues related to service connection for GERD, tinnitus, and a hearing loss disability.