Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the claim of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease status-post myocardial infarction with ventricular arrhythmia due to procedural errors and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus disability is granted as service connected. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's VA treatment records show that he required regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including chronic valley fever fungus residuals, PTSD with associated mood/affective disorder, sleep apnea, and multiple peripheral neuropathies. The Board granted the claim for an earlier effective date of April 11, 2023, for the award of SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, back disability, and various peripheral neuropathies, render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities independently. The Board found that the evidence was in balance, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, granting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to active-duty service and service connection for this condition is granted. The claim of a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the determination on service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being returned for further review.

The appeal for left ear hearing loss is dismissed. The appeals for thoracolumbar strain and undiagnosed respiratory illness are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for sensorineural bilateral hearing loss prior to July 28, 2025 and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant VA treatment records.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and melanoma is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, head trauma, headaches, and PTSD have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had in-service noise exposure and IED blast exposures, which supported a positive nexus between his current diagnoses and service.,Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as antisocial personality disorder with alcohol and cannabis use disorder. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is also denied.,Service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has denied all increased rating claims for various service-connected conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, erectile dysfunction (ED), bilateral hearing loss, depressive disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus (DM).

The Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis is granted. However, the Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right eye disabilities have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for low back disability (other than scoliosis) and right and left knee conditions.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have a current disability.,His hepatitis C was not caused or aggravated by his service, and the Board finds that the VA medical opinion is adequate.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic allergic rhinitis and denied service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, bilateral flat feet/fallen arches, and a respiratory condition (to include shortness of breath). The issue of service connection for sinusitis is remanded.