Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus due to a lack of current disability. The hearing loss claim is remanded as there was an error in obtaining an adequate examination prior to the rating decision.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 31, 2023 for the awards of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and asthma.

Prior to April 23, 2025, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent and vertigo/dizziness at 40 percent.,From April 23, 2025, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 40 percent.,PTSD to include acquired psychiatric disorder was granted a 70 percent disability rating from September 22, 2011 and total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from July 26, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's right lower extremity nerve disability is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuity of symptomatology, while his claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for an addendum opinion.

The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD with obesity serving as an intermediary step.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed. Service connection for left ear sensorineural hearing loss is granted, but the claim for right ear sensorineural hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, both dating back to May 30, 2025. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the effective date of service connection for BHL was also denied. The Board found that the earliest application for service connection occurred on December 24, 2020, and there is no evidence of a prior intent to file a claim or a prior claim made before this date.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, hypothyroidism, chronic sinusitis, sleep apnea, and a psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence or conflicting opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing records, requiring further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete service treatment records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted prior to October 16, 2019, and dismissed from that date onwards due to the receipt of a 100% disability rating for Meniere's disease.

The Board has denied a compensable evaluation for service-connected left ear hearing loss on both schedular and extraschedular bases, remanding the case to determine if an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not aggravated by service, and remanded for a VA examination to determine if he has sinusitis. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence does not show a current disability or in-service injury that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded as new and relevant evidence has been received since the last denial, but it was not considered in the previous decision. The AOJ will now consider whether this new evidence supports a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The leg length discrepancy is denied under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, as the surgery was not performed with carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar fault. The lumbar spine disability is also denied under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to the denial of leg length discrepancy claim.

The Veteran's bilateral metatarsalgia is granted as service-connected, with the condition having its onset during active duty.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.