Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for macular degeneration as secondary to medications taken for a kidney disorder is dismissed due to the duty to assist error and the subsequent issuance of a rating decision denying the claim on the merits.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied because both conditions preexisted service and there was no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and pulmonary problems have been remanded due to new evidence submitted. The claim for a bladder tumor is not being readjudicated as there was no relevant new evidence received.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to an inadequate opinion in the original decision.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC based on housebound criteria.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability. The claims for left ear hearing loss, psoriasis, hypertension, gout, and knee disabilities are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus disabilities and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disabilities due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable (0%) due to the presence of a nonservice-connected left ear, and no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, right hip condition, and right knee condition. The appeal was dismissed as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but dismissed the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of timely appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable due to the audiometric test results not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for chronic sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, and respiratory disorder (constrictive bronchiolitis) is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was found to be less likely related to service due to the examiner's conclusion that it could have multiple etiologies.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including persistent depressive disorder, migraines, tinnitus, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational history.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable due to the lack of evidence showing a compensable level of disability.,There is no current diagnosis of urinary frequency, and the Veteran does not have any history or treatment for this condition. Therefore, service connection for urinary frequency is denied.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of erectile dysfunction, and there is no evidence linking his condition to service. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied.,VA examinations are required to determine if the Veteran's low back and neck conditions are related to his service, including any in-service incidents such as falls and carrying heavy objects.,VA examinations are needed to assess whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and IBS are related to his service, specifically his exposure to TERA during service.,VA examinations are required to determine if the Veteran's GERD is related to his service, including any in-service exposures such as TERA.,VA examinations are necessary to evaluate if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is linked to his service, considering his reported in-service exposure to TERA.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are due to exposure to hazardous noise during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before a decision was made, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for ear infections, bilateral eye condition, heat injury, left ankle disability, and left knee disability due to new evidence.,The claim of service connection for a menstrual disability is denied as there is no current disability.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and tinnitus due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's TDIU for accrued benefits purposes is granted, and the initial compensable rating for his service-connected back scar is denied. The claims of higher ratings for lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of May 26, 2011 for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.,The Veteran is also granted an effective date of May 26, 2011 for eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.