Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but remanded the issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's rating for bilateral hearing loss was restored to 30%, and a TDIU rating is granted. The appeal for a higher rating was denied.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical cancer, and left ear hearing loss due to lack of in-service injury or disease, no current diagnosis, and insufficient evidence.,Service connection was not granted for cervical cancer as the Veteran did not have a confirmed diagnosis at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran is awarded special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1) due to the need for aid and attendance from two service-connected conditions: bilateral hearing loss rated at 100% and PTSD rated at 100%. The decision also grants a higher level of aid and attendance (r)(1).

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being permanently bedridden due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he did not meet the criteria under sections (1), (2), or (3) of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l). The Board concluded that the Veteran was not permanently bedridden or so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a finding of TDIU effective January 1, 2020.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of September 24, 2020 for the award of a 70 percent rating for PTSD and a TDIU. The evidence shows that his PTSD symptoms have significantly impacted his ability to work since January 31, 2019.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service, and the current hearing loss did not manifest within the applicable presumptive period. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current hearing loss is less likely related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, including its residuals, is granted as service-connected due to in-service exposure to AFFF foam.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and scarring tissue on lungs is denied.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, including the failure to obtain VA treatment records from the Community Care program and provide a VA examination for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss on the basis that it was aggravated by acoustic trauma during service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's TDIU and right wrist disability claims were granted effective July 25, 2017. The right wrist was initially service-connected in May 2022, but the TDIU claim has been ongoing since at least July 25, 2011.

The Veteran's DJD of right 3rd toe fracture and bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, migraine headaches, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have all been denied.,Specifically, the Board found that there was no credible evidence to support the occurrence of stressors in service related to PTSD. The Veteran's migraine headaches were also not linked to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and the earlier effective date for DEA benefits is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine has been withdrawn, resulting in dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing (SAH) or a special home adaptation (SHA) grant due to lack of relevant disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current disabilities of chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia, or hearing loss, and the evidence did not support a finding that CAD, atrial fibrillation, stroke residuals, or hypertension had their clinical onset during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, eczema/dermatitis, and hypothyroidism as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.