Hearing loss decisions — 2026

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

The Board has granted an effective date of March 15, 2019 for the grant of a TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA must attempt to obtain the Veteran's Community Care Program treatment records, including an audiology report from May 23, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and chronic headaches, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service. Service connection was not established for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA opinions and a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, but the current opinion is not sufficient.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection is denied for left ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing aggravation during service.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss and kidney disability remains pending as remanded by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC at the A&A rate was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not result in a need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to an inadequate August 2019 VA medical opinion. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on noise exposure in service.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle condition, right and left hip conditions, right and left knee conditions, and bilateral pes planus (secondary to a right ankle condition). Service connection was granted for right ear hearing loss.,There is no evidence of any diagnosed left ankle or left hip condition. The Veteran's right hip and right and left knee conditions were not incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The low back disorder claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability in some cases and the need for further medical evaluation in others.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in his right ear. The issues of service connection for pes planus, razor bumps (pseudofolliculitis barbae), and sleep apnea have been remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's vertigo is being remanded for further examination and medical opinion to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and/or migraine headaches.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient rationale in the previous medical opinion, requiring a new examination.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of evidence showing an increase in the severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss during the appeal period, and insufficient evidence to support a finding that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left knee osteoarthritis and meniscal tear, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss have all been denied as there is no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of his conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee condition, right knee condition, and left shoulder condition. His PTSD claim was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a 70% or higher rating.

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

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The claims for service connection on all listed conditions are not before the Board.