Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to duty to assist error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to her active duty service, resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied. The claims for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), obstructive sleep apnea, and left knee strain are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his right mandible fracture, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and TMJ disability due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted service connection, and a 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss is assigned. Service connection is denied for prostate cancer, Parkinson's disease, and BLPN.

The Board has decided to remand several issues including the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, TDIU prior to February 5, 2021, and basic eligibility for DEA benefits prior to February 5, 2021. These claims are inextricably intertwined with his other claims being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support an earlier date than May 6, 2019.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, but the claims for degenerative arthritis of the spine and left hip osteoarthritis are being remanded due to new evidence.,Left ear hearing loss has also been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral otitis media, tinnitus, and migraines have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.,Specifically, the Veteran does not meet the auditory threshold requirements for hearing loss under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence and provide an addendum opinion from the previous examiner or another qualified examiner.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current condition is related to noise exposure during active combat in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. His left knee, right knee, hypertension, erectile dysfunction (secondary to back disability), left lower extremity sciatic nerve pain, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve pain are all found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of functional impairment. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if any service-connected disability results in loss of use of both lower extremities, one lower extremity and one upper extremity, or residuals affecting balance and propulsion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to notify the Veteran of his right to a pre-decisional hearing. The AOJ is instructed to provide the Veteran with notice concerning his right to a hearing and then re-adjudicate the claims.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for tinnitus. The issue of entitlement to a low back disability is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran withdrew his request for a Board of Veterans' Appeals Hearing and his claim seeking service connection for hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for painful pseudofolliculitis barbae scars is granted, and service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and left ear hearing loss are both granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae scars remains pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to errors in fulfilling their duty to assist.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disability were dismissed due to improper concurrent elections.,The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of back, sciatic nerve, right shoulder, foot, skin, left-hand, or right-hand disabilities. The claim for headaches was also denied.