Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his mixed hearing loss, bilateral, was denied as the Veteran failed to cooperate during a scheduled VA examination and provided insufficient audiometric results.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA audiological evaluation with medical opinions addressing direct service connection based on in-service noise exposure and secondary service connection based on service-connected tinnitus and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, CAD, migraines, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and scars associated with CAD, have rendered him unemployable prior to July 29, 2025. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

The appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,A compensable rating for hypertension is denied.,A 10 percent rating for the Veteran's scar related to his colon cancer surgery is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the assignment of monetary benefits.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity is granted.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression) is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis and hearing loss disability, as well as his claim for a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability of hearing loss in either ear.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the onset during service and persistence over time. The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to noise during service and his symptoms are attributable to this exposure.

The Veteran's prescribed topical skin medication, triamcinolone cream, caused irreparable damage to his clothing and the Board granted a clothing allowance for 2020 based on this.

The Board has decided the appeal based on evidence from prior decisions. The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, right knee strain, left leg condition, and bilateral hearing loss are all remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues of left ankle, knee, shoulder, hip, lower back, and neck pain are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable (0 percent) since March 29, 2023. The Board found the evidence does not support a higher rating.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, bilateral leg lymphedema, and an acquired psychiatric condition.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure. Diabetes mellitus is service-connected due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service. Bilateral leg lymphedema is secondary to the now service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, diagnosed as adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, is also service-connected.,The Veteran served in Vietnam and has a history of mental health issues that predate his discharge from military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 12, 2021 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation at any point during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings related to his service-connected OSA with asthma and bronchitis, left knee osteoarthritis and synovitis, right knee meniscal tear, osteoarthritis, synovitis post arthroscopy, limitation of flexion in both knees, and right knee meniscal tear, osteoarthritis, synovitis post arthroscopy, limitation of flexion were remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding examinations that were not conducted as scheduled. The Veteran's complaints during service are noted and will be evaluated by the examiners.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected left leg shrapnel injury is found to have resulted in left knee DJD. The Veteran meets the criteria for SAH due to his service-connected disabilities, which require constant use of a walker or cane for ambulation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 2, 2021. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on this finding.

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