Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a current disability. The appeal is remanded for further examination and medical opinions regarding spine disorder, infectious mononucleosis, left shoulder instability, right shoulder instability, and right lower extremity pain.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for BPPV was granted effective December 15, 2011. An initial increased rating of 30 percent for BPPV is also granted from that date.,From December 15, 2011 to May 22, 2012, the Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted due to his service-connected conditions preventing him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing acuity has been manifested by Level I in both ears, which corresponds to a zero percent (non-compensable) disability rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance from May 14, 2025 due to service-connected disabilities that rendered him in regular need of aid and assistance.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, and the criteria for service connection have not been met.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran not meeting the auditory threshold criteria. The claims of service connection for elbow, knee, shoulder, and left ankle disabilities are remanded as there may be outstanding service treatment records and VA treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing impairment is not considered a disability for VA purposes due to the invalidity of audiometric test results in his left ear. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 (diabetes) and other conditions are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee osteoarthritis status post meniscectomy for meniscus tear prior to June 20, 2024 is remanded. The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions and issues have been dismissed due to untimeliness of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to military service, as there was no evidence of auditory damage during service. The left knee disability is also not related to military service.,The Veteran's left hip disability, lumbar disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, and cesarean section scar were not related to military service.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for PTSD as it was granted in a September 2025 rating decision, which covers the entire period on appeal. The issue of a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to the Veteran's failure to report to an examination.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, low back condition, RLE radiculopathy, and LLE radiculopathy. The Board finds that these conditions are of a nature and severity that rendered the Veteran unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and experience.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of the May 30, 2023 rating decision that granted service connection for deviated septum at zero percent effective March 3, 2022 and denied service connection for neck disability, back disability, COPD, and hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was evaluated as Level II, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board found no periods during the appeal period when a compensable rating would be warranted.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and granted a 10 percent rating for right knee strain. The issue of service connection for a right shoulder condition is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.