Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to outstanding medical records for his service-connected conditions and new claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.,The Veteran's left knee disability, right knee osteoarthritis, left shoulder osteoarthritis, and right shoulder osteoarthritis have all been rated appropriately based on their severity.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and coccyx disabilities, finding that there is no causal relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The appeal concerning the disability evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae and bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee with instability, tinnitus, and right shoulder tendonitis (claimed as tendonitis in the right shoulder) has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for chronic diarrhea has been dismissed as the decision was not final and appealable.,The appeals for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and tinnitus have all been dismissed due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD).,Service connection for right ear hearing loss has not been established as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA's definition of hearing loss.

Your appeals for service connection on several conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The appeal will not be resumed unless someone requests substitution.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, combined with other disabilities independently rated at 60 percent or more, qualifies him for special monthly compensation (SMC) due to housebound status effective April 27, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of her pending appeals, including those for PTSD rating and service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, right knee scar, and hearing loss.

The Board has found that there may be relevant outstanding treatment records to obtain and associate with the claim file, particularly given the Veteran's citation to 'MEDICAL' in his request for service records. The claims are being remanded to address this duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance with the benefit of the doubt given to the Veteran.

The appeal for service connection of left ear hearing loss is dismissed. The Veteran's IBS has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's right hearing loss is granted as service-connected, but left hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss and for an earlier effective date, finding that his hearing loss disability meets the criteria for a zero percent rating under VA regulations.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal because he did not file a timely request for an extension of time to file his appeal within one year from the date of the SSOC, and good cause was not shown.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the failure to provide a VA examination before the rating decision was made. The Board will schedule an examination and request opinions on whether her hearing loss had its onset during or within one year of separation from active-duty service, or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of September 3, 2020 for individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine whether service connection is warranted for the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, vestibular disorder (Meniere's disease and vertigo), and hypertension. The claims are REMANDED.