Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the AOJ committed a duty-to-assist error by failing to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disabilities. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, while the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his tinnitus was also related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, which are directly related to the Veteran's time in active service. The claims under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for compensation for these conditions have been dismissed as they are a greater benefit than can be awarded under this provision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it likely due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and military service.

The Veteran's left ear sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss have been granted as service-connected. However, the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not caused by or a result of military noise exposure during his active duty.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for greater evaluations of service-connected left ear hearing loss, right ear tinnitus, and sinus condition. The appeal regarding a proposed reduction in the evaluation of service-connected rectal cancer from 100% to 60% is also dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral flatfoot, and left and right knee disabilities have been granted with effective dates of December 5, 2020. The Board found that the Veteran had submitted new evidence to reopen her claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of adequate VA examination reports, which are necessary to determine the relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, foot disability (pes planus and plantar fasciitis), and female sexual arousal disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability in some cases or that there was no indication of an event, injury, or disease during service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on six different conditions have been dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle pain but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting VA examination results.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The right shoulder disability, obturator neuropathy of the left thigh, and obturator neuropathy of the right thigh are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues include left ear hearing loss, cervical strain, fatigue and full body muscle pain (claimed as chronic fatigue syndrome), tinea pedis, onychomycosis and tinea corporis (claimed as full body rash and bilateral foot fungus), and bilateral vision loss.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, effective July 23, 2018. The right ear hearing loss service connection claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted. The claims for higher ratings for migraine headaches, mitral valve prolapse, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, low back disability, and sciatic radicular pain of both lower extremities are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and right knee condition has been denied.,Service connection is not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for UDD is denied, and his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, left foot disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability due to his withdrawal of these claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a back disability, and numbness in the right foot. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as there was no valid earlier effective date application. Service connection for hemorrhoids is also denied.