Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable prior to August 19, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated as 30% prior to December 1, 2022 and at a 40% rating since that date.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated as 20% prior to December 1, 2022 and at a 40% rating since that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated as 10% prior to August 3, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated as 10% prior to August 3, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is rated as 20% since August 3, 2024.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated as 10% prior to August 27, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding non-VA medical records not being obtained. The Veteran must provide any identified records, and if they cannot be obtained, a formal determination will be made.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from August 6, 2008 due to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the hearing loss claim due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's hearing loss may be related to service or secondary to his service-connected cerumen impaction.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

Service connection for lung cancer is granted based on a diagnosis and presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.,Service connection for COPD is granted as related to in-service toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. However, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss was not manifested to a compensable degree within one year of service and is not related to active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea are granted as service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as the symptoms do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied as the condition affects less than 5% of his exposed and total body area.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of information regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The RO is instructed to obtain these records, including any medical treatment records from Reserve service. A new examination with an audiologist who has not previously provided an opinion in this case should be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed cardiac condition, headaches, and TDIU. The current evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. The decision resolves any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and mid-chest incisional scar are service-connected as secondary to his time in service, specifically related to aortic aneurysm and heart valve replacement.,Tinnitus is service-connected based on the Veteran's reported history of noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a right ankle disability due to inadequate examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the claim of left ear hearing loss due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo due to pre-existing duty to assist errors.,For diabetes mellitus type II and hodgkin's-lymphoma, the evidence is not persuasive in favor of a nexus to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for issues of service connection for left foot pain, skin condition, fibromyalgia, GERD, left knee strain, right knee strain, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, right ankle condition, and right shoulder condition due to untimely filing.