Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the claim of a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current diagnosis is right ear hearing loss, which is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and has remanded the issues of left ear hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus (secondary to left ear hearing loss), right hip pain, and right knee pain.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, a right knee disability (to include as secondary to a right ankle disability), bilateral hearing loss, and sinusitis are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need to undergo additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has found that the appellant does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and the evidence is persuasively against a finding that the current decreased hearing acuity is the result of an in-service disease or injury. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss. However, it denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing that the disability was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claim for left ear hearing loss was denied, and his service connection claims for right ear hearing loss were also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD with substance abuse) due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions during his active duty.

The Veteran's lower back disability is not service-connected.,His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Veteran seeks higher ratings. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.,Effective dates prior to November 9, 2018, have been denied for his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus service connection claims.,Right knee and left knee disabilities are also remanded for further review.

The Veteran's pes planus with plantar fasciitis is currently rated at the maximum allowable rating of 50 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's chronic allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as there are no indications of nasal polyps or greater than 50 percent obstruction on both sides.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable due to the audiometric results showing hearing acuity levels of no worse than Level II in both ears.

Your appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's TBI residuals, including headaches, vertigo, and bilateral hearing loss, are being remanded for further evaluation. The case is also remanded to address the etiology of peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a combined 100 percent evaluation and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits. The Veteran was already in receipt of the earliest possible effective date allowed under law for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right ear sensorineural hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with no worse than Level I hearing loss in the right ear.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for traumatic brain injury is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not begin during service and is not related to any in-service noise exposure, leading to a denial of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.