Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for awards of an 80 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, SMC at the housebound rate, and DEA. The effective date was fixed as December 12, 2024.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable (0%) for the entire period from November 4, 2020 to January 31, 2025. From January 31, 2025, a rating of 10% was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right nostril collapse is denied as the evidence does not show a current disability. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability are both rated at 10 percent, with no higher ratings being warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability, finding that it is due to in-service hazardous noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's syndrome (claimed as dizziness) due to exposure to hazardous military noise during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed hypertension is related to his service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's headaches are considered a symptom of his service-connected sinusitis, and thus separate service connection for headaches is denied.,There is no current diagnosis of shin splints in the Veteran's case. The prior manifestations have resolved without residual effects.

The Veteran's appeals for a disability rating more than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss from April 22, 2021 and TDIU from May 22, 2012 to April 17, 2019 are dismissed as there is no case or controversy regarding these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory issues due to burn pit exposure. The Veteran is not entitled to an effective date earlier than February 10, 2020, for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss as his claim was considered after a new piece of evidence was submitted. For respiratory issues, the Board has ordered a remand to provide a VA examination and obtain further medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to June 29, 2009, for the grant of TDIU and DEA benefits was denied. The Board found that entitlement to TDIU did not arise until June 29, 2009, when the Veteran became service-connected for PTSD.,The Veteran's eligibility for DEA under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was also denied as he did not have a permanent total service-connected disability prior to June 29, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected alcohol use disorder and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed conditions, specifically bilateral hearing loss disability, unspecified depressive disorder, tibial stress syndrome of the left lower extremity, and tibial stress syndrome of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of left herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1, right flank renal stone scar, and bladder cancer with nephrolithiasis and right ureteral stricture status post resection have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 20 percent for bladder cancer with nephrolithiasis and right ureteral stricture status post resection is granted from November 9, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition related to the claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to acoustic trauma sustained during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability began during service and is therefore granted as service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including myoclonus including Parkinson's disease and several associated neurological impairments, require regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.