Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and potential errors in the decision-making process. The Veteran is requested to provide all relevant service documentation related to his Naval Air Force Reserve duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations, and therefore, service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to untimely filing of NODs. The claim for service connection of IBS is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's tinnitus was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that there is no current hearing loss or Meniere's disease for VA purposes, and thus the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's rhinitis and sinusitis are currently rated at 10% each, but the Board finds no evidence of incapacitating episodes or three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of audiometric data meeting VA criteria. Service connection for hypertension (HTN) is denied as it did not manifest within one year of service and there is no nexus to service. Service connection for chronic diarrhea is denied as the evidence does not support a diagnosis or link to Gulf War service.,Service connection for CFS, RLS, headaches, dyspnea, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for diabetes, hypertension, left knee condition, right knee condition, and tinea pedis are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and hypertension are being remanded because VA did not notify him of unavailability of records from MedHealth Home Care, Alabama Orthopedics Specialists, and Beltone Hearing Center. Additionally, an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his conditions is needed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition and right knee condition are being remanded due to VA not notifying him of unavailability of records from MedHealth Home Care, Alabama Orthopedics Specialists, and Beltone Hearing Center. Additionally, an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his conditions is needed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is being remanded because VA did not notify him of unavailability of records from MedHealth Home Care, Alabama Orthopedics Specialists, and Beltone Hearing Center. Additionally, an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his condition is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the lack of audiological test results from March 2014 and March 2015. The RO must obtain these records before readjudicating his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess his need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including newly assigned conditions like PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's low back disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA guidelines. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection. The issue of an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral kidney calculus prior to April 11, 2023, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is remanded due to missing medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 16, 2021, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantial gainful employment during those periods.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is denied. The VA determined that the current level of disability, with an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment in both ears resulting in Level V and Level VIII ratings, does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown as chronic in service, nor did they manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board finds that there is no causal relationship between these conditions and military noise exposure.,There was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

Your appeal for service connection regarding bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on these claims as they are no longer pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and a left ankle disability have been dismissed due to an improper concurrent election of review options. The Veteran also had his claim for IBS denied.,Service connection for hearing loss was denied as the Veteran does not meet the VA requirements for hearing loss in either ear.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions (chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities) contributed substantially or materially to his death from a fatal fall. The appeal is granted.

The Board has decided that the attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a previous rating decision are not clear and explicit, and thus requires further action to correct this error.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss, residuals of an oral condition (including right parotid and submandibular sialadenitis), rating higher than 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity involving the sciatic nerve during the period on appeal from July 24, 2023, to September 26, 2024, and rating higher than 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of right lower extremity involving the sciatic nerve during the same period. The remand is needed due to duty-to-assist errors.