Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an increased rating to 70 percent.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and pulmonary fibrosis are both granted, with the latter being granted under the PACT Act of 2022.,Service connection for a back disability is remanded due to lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to the ameliorative effects of medication.,The Veteran's lumbar spine IVDS status post compression fracture, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 40 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms.,Service connection has been granted for abnormal renal function, erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, prostate condition, and hernia due to exposure to toxic risk exposure activities (TERA) in service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.,The Veteran's claims for right knee arthritis and left knee arthritis are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are granted, but his right knee degenerative arthritis and left knee strain do not warrant an increased evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim is denied.

The appeal of the restoration of benefits due to fugitive felon status from June 11, 2010 to November 3, 2010 is dismissed.,The reduction in disability compensation benefits during incarceration was proper and the appeal for retroactive payment is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is manifested by, at most, no worse than Level I hearing acuity in the right ear and Level V hearing acuity in the left ear. The Board denied a compensable disability rating for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including sleep apnea, brain tumor, kidney failure, back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and right shoulder disorder. The Veteran did not provide good cause for failing to attend a VA examination related to his hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection regarding hearing loss and right eye injury has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development and failure to comply with prior remand directives. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for sleep disturbances, including insomnia, secondary to PTSD is granted. The Veteran has a history of such symptoms and they are considered secondary to his PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service. The claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing loss is etiologically linked to conceded hazardous noise exposure during his active duty in the U.S. Navy.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied the remaining claims due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's knee, hand, hip, and back conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with the highest rating being Level I.,Service connection for PTSD and PUD was granted effective February 5, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation and determination of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, knee disabilities, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, shoulder disability, radiculopathy, hip disability, sinusitis, and deviated septum.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

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

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 22, 2024, for the grant of individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The earliest possible effective date for the TDIU award is April 22, 2024.

The Board has granted service connection for ED as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, LLE radiculopathy, femoral nerve, and generalized anxiety disorder. The decision also grants a rating increase for generalized anxiety disorder from October 16, 2023.