Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's low back condition is granted as service connected, and the claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance from March 24, 2017.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The tinnitus issue is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's persistent depression, cannabis use disorder, and alcohol use disorder are rated at 100 percent disabling. The bilateral hearing loss is rated at 80 percent disabling. The tinea versicolor remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic adjustment disorder with depressed mood and hearing loss resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance from July 17, 2020. Effective date of July 17, 2020 is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable, with the Board finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to his withdrawal of appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board denied an increased rating for right knee strain and other conditions in a November 29, 2023 decision. The Veteran's appeals were dismissed as untimely.

The Board has denied a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the claim of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants this claim. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a lack of an adequate etiology opinion regarding the relationship between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD, adjustment disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder has been granted. His hearing loss remains at a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 11, 2023, for total disability due to individual unemployability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not clearly establish unemployability due to service-connected disabilities before this date and there was no formal claim for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a present disability and concluding that there is nothing to connect the current condition to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received after the RO's initial decision in January 2020. The Veteran was afforded a hearing where he testified about his symptoms, including intermittent tinnitus during service.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, costochondritis, PTSD, and a right knee disability were denied as there was no earlier effective date established.,Entitlement to service connection for these conditions is not granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral flat feet, plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus, hearing loss, psychiatric disabilities, nerve damage, eye disability, and IBS. The decision found that there was no evidence of permanent aggravation of preexisting conditions during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and dismissed the claim of service connection for a right thumb disability as moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.