Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to inadequate medical examination and a duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link between current hearing loss and military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential duty-to-assist errors, inadequate medical opinions, and need for further examination.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was evaluated as Level I, which corresponds to a noncompensable evaluation. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation for his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Board has found that VA did not obtain all relevant Social Security Administration records, which may contain pertinent medical evidence. The case is therefore being remanded to allow for the retrieval of these records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals of service connection for left ear hearing loss and vasectomy residuals as there was no proper appeal submitted to the Board.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, chronic shoulder pain, and chronic knee pain as the evidence did not support a causal relationship to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound due to service-connected disabilities was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for sleep apnea was denied, and his claim for TDIU was granted. The Board found that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it had its onset in service and is related to his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since December 2020. The most recent VA examination in August 2025 showed Level III hearing in the right ear and Level I hearing in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Board has determined that a pre-decision duty to assist error occurred by not offering the Veteran a second VA examination regarding his claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent effective February 12, 2019. The appeal for a higher initial rating has been denied.

The Board denied service connection for left ear and right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a current disability or link to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his claimed conditions and military service, particularly exposure to toxic chemicals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service onset and continuity of symptoms, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right hip, right shoulder, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, urge incontinence and stress incontinence (claimed as bladder leakage), erectile dysfunction, and gout due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for a pulmonary disorder due to lack of sufficient medical opinion.