Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the earliest effective date allowed under law is June 27, 2018.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence to readjudicate the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The case is being remanded for further review by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. A VA medical opinion is required on remand to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and ruptured left tympanic membrane were denied as the VA rating schedule does not provide for a compensable rating in either case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of a current disability during the period under review.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded her claim for service connection for migraine including migraine variants (claimed as headaches). The decision on the hearing loss claim is pending, while the migraine claim requires additional development.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no one has requested substitution. The claims for service connection are not considered.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral senile cataract, bilateral corneal dystrophy, and right eyelid cyst due to potential errors in pre-decisional duty to assist.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine condition. The bilateral hearing loss and stroke residual condition are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for service connection due to untimely filing of appeal requests, and dismissed them.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not caused by his exposure to dental tool noise during military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including failure to obtain Army National Guard service records and formal findings of all periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The VA will attempt to obtain these records and correct the error in finding all periods of service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and respiratory disorder. The claims for right knee disability and right ear hearing loss are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU related to bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the lack of audiometric testing results from October 13, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of prostate cancer was dismissed. His bilateral hearing loss disability and IVDS to include degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine were granted with a rating of 40 percent prior to February 11, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding a continuity of symptomatology linking the Veteran's current disability to hearing loss noted during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure was sufficient to cause his current hearing impairment. Service connection for head injury with residuals is denied as there is no evidence of a head injury during service and any current symptoms are not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee injury and denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from March 26, 2013. The TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete documentation.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was diagnosed during his service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and special monthly compensation due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.