Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is related to service due to acoustic trauma.

The Board has remanded both issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to March 15, 2024 precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use assistive devices and his ability to independently ambulate.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his active-duty service and has been granted.,New evidence has been received regarding the Veteran's anxiety, which will be readjudicated.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine condition, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, essential tremors, coronary artery disease (CAD) with bypass graft, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss.,There was no evidence linking these conditions to active service or service-related toxic exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, but has remanded the claim of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of November 18, 2020. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and increased rating for major depressive disorder were denied. Other claims related to vertigo, migraine headache disorder, high blood pressure, TDIU, DEA under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35, and special monthly compensation are still pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied due to lack of evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for initial rating in excess of 10 percent for maxillary sinusitis, fatigue including CFS, OSA and IBS are remanded as there were duty-to-assist errors prior to the decisions on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (left and right), and bilateral hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service symptoms and medical records showing continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board found that his disability does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

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

The Veteran's request for re-adjudication of his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, esophageal cancer, and metastatic lung cancer is granted. The Board finds new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) are all granted as secondary to his now service-connected lumbar spine disability. The bilateral foot plantar fasciitis is also granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim of service connection for discoid lupus erythematosus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been found to meet VA regulations for a disability, and his symptoms have persisted since separation from service.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for tinea pedis (athlete's foot). The Veteran contends that he is entitled to this benefit due to constant boot wearing, rucking, and overall mission requirements during his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a heart condition (including atrial fibrillation) due to duty-to-assist errors prior to issuance of the February 2025 rating decision. The claims are being remanded for additional etiology opinions.