Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability due to the absence of evidence showing a current disability. The claims for erectile dysfunction, vertigo, GERD, and IBS are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to in-service noise exposure and granting a rating of 60%.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left hip strain have not been established as service-connected.,Left shoulder, wrist, and hand pain with carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension and increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at a 20% effective September 17, 2024. Prior to this date, the disability did not warrant any compensation.

The Veteran's appeal of an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to lack of response within the required timeframe after the Board requested clarification.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for glaucoma and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for teeth grinding due to procedural issues. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, but the claim must be remanded as there are missing records and the Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain relevant private dental treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted, with the Veteran credibly reporting that his tinnitus began in-service and continues to this day.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic cough, claimed as shortness of breath, is granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a qualifying chronic disability (a MUCMI) and that her symptoms have persisted for at least six months. Service connection is therefore established.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including failure to notify the appellant of scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has already granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which were on appeal. The appeals are now moot as the benefits have been fully granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right hip disability, and right ear hearing loss due to a lack of current diagnoses.,There is no evidence of a currently diagnosed left knee disability or pain resulting in functional impairment of earning capacity.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which was not adequately addressed in previous examinations. The claim for service connection will be remanded.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case is now remanded due to pre-decisional errors in obtaining the Veteran's complete service treatment records and military personnel records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he contends are related to noise exposure in service. The VA conceded the noise exposure but found no link between current disabilities and service due to lack of significant shifts in hearing levels during service. The Board finds this opinion inadequate and remands for a new examination and medical nexus opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and granted service connection for tinnitus. The claim for an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss was denied, while the claim for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to the absence of a current disability for VA purposes. The claim for left ear hearing loss is remanded as there are theories of secondary service connection and aggravation.