Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The claims for DIC, accrued benefits, and cause of death were denied as new and relevant evidence had not been presented or secured to readjudicate the claims on the merits.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma due to combat. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay statements and medical evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, so the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are dismissed. The Board also denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for psychiatric, left knee, right knee, and bilateral hearing loss conditions have been dismissed as the evidence does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and anxiety disorder with depressive disorder are denied. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's TDIU and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) are granted effective May 12, 2025. The decision is based on the combination of his service-connected disabilities rendering him unemployable as of that date.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's subjective complaints of hearing loss with decreased verbal comprehension during service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities is remanded. The Board found that the VA addendum opinions were inadequate as they did not address whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions result in the need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been denied as he does not have a current disability of the right ear that meets VA criteria.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and cognitive and/or memory problems separate from PTSD are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a left hip disability, tinnitus, migraines, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, right hip disability, vertigo, right knee disability, left ankle and right ankle disabilities, left foot and right foot disabilities have been dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the schedular housebound rate are granted effective August 11, 2020.,An earlier effective date of August 11, 2020, but no higher, for a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back disorder, tinnitus, and ulcer condition due to insufficient evidence. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee strain or left knee strain, or an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his PTSD.