Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received sufficient to readjudicate the claim for service connection for hearing loss. The Veteran's private treatment records, including audiometric testing showing right ear hearing loss for VA purposes, support a finding of current diagnosis of hearing loss in both ears. His military occupational specialty as a fire protection specialist is listed on his DD 214 and he worked as a firefighter during active duty, Reserve service, and post-service as a civilian. The Board finds that the Veteran's competent testimony regarding the onset of hearing loss shortly after separation from active duty supports a finding of in-service noise exposure. As such, the claim for service connection for hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and his vitreous opacities are not compensable. The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected migraines and neurocognitive disorder with traumatic brain injury and migraines.

The Veteran's appeal concerning service connection for left shoulder arthritis, rotator cuff tear (non-dominant), and bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's dermatitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran's dermatitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus based on direct evidence of in-service incurrence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and OSA.,For the right ankle fracture with tendonitis claim, the Board has remanded to obtain a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for hearing loss, back disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, right leg disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, while his other disabilities are not linked to service.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated at 100 percent, and he is receiving SMC on account of deafness. The representative requests a higher rate of SMC (aid-and-attendance) due to the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss impairing his ability to communicate with healthcare providers.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that these conditions began during military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 1, 2025, for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that he was precluded from employment solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence related to the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been received since the May 2023 rating decision. The claims of increased ratings for cervical spine strain, right shoulder arthralgia, right knee arthralgia based on limitation of flexion, left knee arthralgia based on limitation of flexion, and entitlement to a 40 percent rating, but no higher, for right knee arthralgia based on limitation of extension from October 28, 2024 to February 25, 2025 are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine condition, left shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, and right foot injury due to a failure to provide proper notice regarding the right to a hearing.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable, with an average decibel loss of 43 in the right ear and 42.50 in the left ear. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as not being aggravated by service.,The Veteran's neck disability is denied.

The appeal for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for insomnia is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and headache disorder are granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran had continuous symptoms since service, meeting the criteria for service connection.,Service connection is also granted for left hand arthritis pain and denied for right hand arthritis pain.

The Board has granted service connection for dizziness as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The tinnitus issue was erroneously docketed and is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a fractured right 5th metatarsal, hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of current disability and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding hearing loss, tinnitus (claimed as ringing of ears), sleep apnea syndromes, and insomnia due to untimeliness. The Veteran filed a Notice of Disagreement on September 26, 2025, more than one year after receiving notification of the rating decision.