Hearing loss decisions — 2026

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Service connection is denied for depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), neck disability, left upper extremity nerve condition, right upper extremity nerve condition, restless leg syndrome, left knee disability, anxiety, insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, intestinal disability, hemorrhoids, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability.,Service connection is denied for neck disability. Service connection is remanded for entitlement to service connection for anxiety, insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, intestinal disability, hemorrhoids, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's appeals concerning PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder, left parotidectomy residuals, head scar, OSA, back disorder, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder have been granted service connection. The Veteran's TBI, jaw disorder, hearing loss, IBS, right elbow disorder, and left ankle disorder have not been granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to military service or noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's puretone thresholds did not show a worsening in severity prior to October 23, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss have been granted. The claims for back issues, hair loss (alopecia), left knee disability, and teeth loss are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis and in-service noise exposure are sufficient to establish a link between his condition and military service.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of December 28, 2019 for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and additional disabilities.,SMC was granted from August 7, 2020, to June 6, 2021, and again from August 12, 2022.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as they were granted in a previous decision.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable due to mild to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss in the right ear and mild to severe mixed hearing loss in the left ear, resulting in a Level I disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the benefit of doubt resolved in his favor.,His PFB does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating due to lack of skin involvement and no systemic therapy required.,Bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating based on current audiometric findings.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and insomnia. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service due to noise exposure during active duty. Insomnia is found to be related to the now service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions including bilateral shoulder arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, neck pain, arthritis of the low back, and right hand arthritis due to inconsistencies in his statements regarding the onset and chronicity of symptoms.

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

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted due to the submission of new evidence.,Service connection has been established for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both found to be related to military service.