Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability of impaired hearing based on VA standards.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, and chronic sinusitis, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss but granted it for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and needs additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, pseudofolliculitis barbae (shaving skin condition), and sinusitis as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,No VA examinations were conducted for the Veteran's back and neck disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea as there is no evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current conditions and military service. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to provide more definitive data on these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to a Joint Motion for Remand, requiring additional notice and potential further development of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied, and the claim for TDIU has been dismissed as the full benefit sought on appeal has already been granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss because the Veteran did not properly submit a valid Notice of Disagreement (NOD) as required by VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 18, 2010 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and depressive disorder with TBI have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to this date.,For bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran's disability level is rated as noncompensable (Level II). For depressive disorder with TBI, the Veteran's disability rating remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetic retinopathy was denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The appellant's PTSD was granted an effective date of February 7, 2022. His initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied. The Board has remanded the claims for migraine headaches and allergic rhinitis to allow for further evaluation.,TDIU is also currently pending and will be addressed in a future decision.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the appellant's current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on his claims for increased ratings and compensation for right knee strain, scars, and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment, and the current schedular ratings adequately reflect his functional impact.

A disability rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. An earlier effective date prior to April 5, 2023, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is also denied.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted. Service connection for left lower extremity nerve condition, lumbar spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are all denied.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma. The Board finds the evidence of record establishes that his right ear hearing loss is related to service.,There is no current diagnosis for a left lower extremity nerve condition, lumbar spine disability, or obstructive sleep apnea. Service connection cannot be granted as there are no diagnosed disabilities eligible for VA compensation.,The Veteran's right lower extremity nerve condition is remanded and requires an opinion regarding its relationship to service. Toxic exposures in-service may be a factor.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied, but the Board notes that toxic exposures in-service may be relevant.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current evidence of hearing impairment meeting VA criteria.,Glaucoma is granted as secondary to the service-connected asthma, with the condition aggravated by steroid use.