Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 0 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular requirements for a TDIU from July 27, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss was dismissed because the appeal request was not filed within one year of the rating decision, and no good cause was provided.

The Board has decided to remand both issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the lack of notification regarding a scheduled VA examination. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with new evidence, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's initial 30% rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted in a July 2024 decision. However, the AOJ based this on inconsistent speech recognition scores from different VA examinations. The Board finds that another examination is needed to clarify these inconsistencies.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a back disability. The AOJ is required to readjudicate these claims on their merits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only due to his remaining functional use of his feet.

Service connection for left shoulder strain and hearing loss in the left ear is dismissed as they were withdrawn from appeal.,Service connection for eczema, atopic dermatitis, generalized anxiety disorder secondary to eczema, and migraine headaches secondary to eczema has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions were not initially claimed until a June 12, 2024 supplemental claim.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied. The earliest effective date available was granted.,VA received the Veteran's intent to file a claim for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) on October 15, 2021, which established his eligibility for this benefit.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20% rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no increase in disability level that could be ascertained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests to appeal the May 12, 2023 rating decision that granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for lumbar spine DDD, left heel injury, and right knee injury. The reasons given were that the appeals were not timely filed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral feet disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, tinnitus, and headache disability.,There is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes. The Veteran's reported symptoms do not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA disability compensation purposes and thus, service connection is denied. The issue of entitlement to service connection for depression (claimed as major depression) is remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's asthma had onset during active duty service and has persisted from separation. The Board granted the claim for service connection for asthma.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma, and the Board granted the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied, while his claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosed tinnitus disability and that it is related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, left knee strain, lumbar spine disability, and right shoulder strain on a direct basis.,Service connection was granted for left knee strain, lumbar spine disability, and right shoulder strain on a direct basis.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral dry eye syndrome, headaches, OSA, and tinnitus. Service connection is granted for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss are not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic rhinitis is granted. The claims for chronic sinusitis, generalized anxiety disorder, plantar fasciitis (bilateral), pes planus (bilateral), and bilateral hearing loss are denied.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, right ear hearing loss (only left ear is considered), and left ear hearing loss. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to his military service.