Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The decision is based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and assistance. However, the Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status due to the overlap between the conditions that qualify for both benefits.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that meets the criteria set forth in VA regulations.,The claims for left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee conditions are denied due to lack of medical evidence demonstrating current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee pain, and right knee pain have been denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.,There are no findings or complaints of hearing loss or tinnitus during service. The Veteran did not report any knee disabilities until after his period of honorable service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The issue of a separate rating for insomnia disorder as secondary to service-connected tinnitus is remanded.,VA has not provided an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed insomnia disorder under DSM-5, which may be related to or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, boxer's fracture left 5th metacarpal, or left ear hearing loss disability. Service connection was granted for lumbar spine disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, chronic diarrhea, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine have been granted. The rating assigned is 70 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms, and the Veteran's assertions regarding these matters were not credible.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining necessary medical records and providing VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered with these corrections.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and has been granted service connection.,There is no evidence of a diagnosed bilateral eye condition for VA purposes, and the claim for service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is related to in-service noise exposure and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to insufficient evidence or further evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and DEA were denied as there was no factual basis to grant earlier effective dates prior to July 25, 2022.

The Board has restored a 10 percent disability evaluation for service-connected left ear hearing loss effective September 1, 2016. The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating was denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability did not begin during service or manifest within a presumptive period. The evidence did not support a nexus between his in-service duties and his current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no current disability, and the evidence does not support a finding of in-service noise exposure leading to hearing loss.