Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain, lumbar strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, headaches (tension), and erectile dysfunction are all granted as service connection. The Veteran's asthma is also granted as service connection. However, the Veteran's muscle pain/spasms do not meet VA compensation criteria.,Service connection for these conditions is based on their onset during or shortly after service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee scar, skin disability, and traumatic brain injury. The claim of service connection for a back disability is remanded due to failure to obtain a VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for shin splints, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), stomach disability, and left ear hearing loss due to errors in providing notice of the right to a hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining relevant non-VA audiology treatment records, and the Veteran is asked to provide forms for his providers.

The appeal for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is denied.

The Board denied eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a June 2024 rating decision because the initial decision granting an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was not appealed within one year and became final. The Appellant's December 2023 VA Form 21-8940, submitted more than five years after the March 2018 rating decision, cannot be considered a supplemental claim.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 0 percent (noncompensable) due to the audiometric test results showing hearing acuity levels of no worse than Level II in the right ear and no worse than Level I in the left ear. The Board found that these findings do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of clear opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service and had a delayed onset.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to provide proper notice of the right to a hearing before the AOJ.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and rating of left lower extremity radiculopathy, headache disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to an error in notifying the Veteran of her right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral lung nodules are remanded due to the need for further development including obtaining private medical records and developing a TERA claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of entitlement to a compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for anterior uveitis, right eye, and service connection for restless leg syndrome, RLE. The claim for service connection for insomnia is dismissed as moot because it was granted with an effective date based on the date of the Veteran's application.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of sleep apnea, left lower extremity (LLE) sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right ear hearing loss due to untimely filing.,The Board also dismissed the appeal for service connection of left ear hearing loss as moot because it was already granted in a prior decision.

The Veteran's left knee joint replacement is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the highest available rating. The Board denied a higher rating as there was no evidence of severe painful motion or limitation of motion.,Bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with a rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran's back disability remains at a 40 percent rating. The Board finds the evidence does not support an increase to higher ratings.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the femoral nerve in both lower extremities are each granted initial 20 percent ratings.,Service connection for GAD, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic kidney pain is remanded.,A compensable disability rating (greater than 0 percent) for chronic kidney infections is also remanded.