Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following substantial gainful employment since January 1, 2017.

The Veteran's left inguinal hernia repair is rated at 0 percent, and he was granted a TDIU effective October 19, 2018. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's urticaria was granted service connection as of June 10, 2017.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and chronic fatigue syndrome have not been found to meet the criteria for service connection.,Service connection was denied for a psychiatric disability, as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues related to bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shin splints, and right shin splints before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because his initial claim was received on November 18, 2024.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 15, 2022 for service connection for hypertension is granted. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are denied. Service connection for sleep apnea is granted. Other claims remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is found to have rendered him unable to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others, or unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of daily living on a regular basis. The Board has granted SMC based on aid and attendance due to the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for nocturnal bruxism with TMJ crepitus was denied as there was no evidence of limited motion or inter-incisal range of motion.,Service connection for hearing loss was denied because the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis and the condition did not manifest within one year of service.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss but granted it for tinnitus. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not found to be a disability, while he did have current tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain, bilateral hearing loss, a back disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, vitamin deficiency, and tinnitus. The AOJ must provide the Veteran with notice of her right to a hearing before the AOJ and readjudicate the claims in light of all evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service, while his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for service connection. The Veteran's other liver conditions are remanded and will be considered by the AOJ.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to hazardous noise exposure during service and grants entitlement. However, the Board has also remanded for further examination regarding his right knee pain due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, as the AOJ had already made this determination in a previous decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left inguinal hernia, and cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and upper radiculopathy have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic bronchitis have been denied. The Board found no current disability in any of these conditions.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the claimed disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's death was not due to service or a service-connected disability. The appellant is receiving the maximum DIC benefits and no additional compensation under PACT Act for Agent Orange exposure is warranted.