Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The disabilities are deemed to have had their onset in service.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability, and increased ratings for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date due to lack of intent or claim filing prior to July 14, 2022. For the other claims, the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and for increased ratings for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for anxiety and high blood pressure due to outstanding private medical records not being obtained. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim is denied as there is no current disability, and his left ear hearing loss claim remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to specific dates have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder disability, hearing loss and tinnitus, lumbar fusion, migraine headaches, and sinusitis, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that the original denial in August 1983 was final, and no new and material evidence was submitted within one year of the intent to file a claim in March 2024.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 1, 2024.,Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, his service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation from April 1, 2024, forward.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's MOS indicated he was at high risk of noise exposure, and his in-service audiograms showed no hearing loss for VA purposes. The Board found the evidence did not indicate his hearing loss was due to his time in service.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 25, 2017 for the award of service connection for tinnitus as part of a previously denied claim for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus was raised during the development of his hearing loss claim and linked to exposure to loud noise in service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is restored to a 20 percent rating, but denied for higher ratings. His tinnitus remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches and bilateral hearing loss due to additional evidence being added to the claims file.

The Board has determined that the VA SMC A&A examination and medical opinions are inadequate for adjudicatory purposes. The Veteran's claim is being remanded to obtain a new VA SMC A&A examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 18, 2023 for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is granted. The evidence shows that the Veteran required regular aid and attendance due to his Parkinson's disease and related conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip disorder is denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation and no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the award of a higher rating for her bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a current disability meeting VA criteria. The Veteran's headache disorder is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension prior to the specified dates. The Veteran's claims were not supported by new and relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for facial scarring, left and right foot disabilities, left and right ankle disabilities, left knee, left hip, and left shoulder disabilities, as well as left and right wrist disabilities. The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability.