Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective December 22, 2023, as he met the schedular requirements for TDIU from that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's asthma is aggravated by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, and thus remanded this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary arteriosclerosis, and multiple joint issues, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since July 26, 2023. The Board has granted an effective date of that day for the award of a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss or tinnitus, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back condition and his lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of bilateral hearing loss. The Board found new and relevant evidence to support reopening these claims.,Service connection has been established for tinnitus, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, right foot disability, and skin disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss and left foot disability due to a duty to assist error prior to the August 2022 and January 2023 rating decisions. The Veteran is required to be provided with notice of his right to a hearing.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete audiometric evaluations at entrance and separation, and the need for an addendum opinion regarding delayed-onset noise-induced hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, including back pain, prostate cancer, depression, bilateral knee pain, and other health issues. The Board granted SMC based on A&A.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board denied all claims for earlier effective dates, finding that the earliest possible effective date for service connection is April 11, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral flatfoot and osteoarthritis due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, as there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to consider all relevant evidence. The service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the left ear as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to noise exposure during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's pacemaker/stent is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic heart condition in service or within the presumptive period, and it is not related to his noise exposure.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted based on current diagnosis and meeting VA criteria for hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for tinnitus was dismissed. The Board also remanded her claims for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU.