Hearing loss decisions — 2026

Your claims for service connection for osteoarthritis and right ear hearing loss have been granted, effective from November 12, 2019. The appeal is dismissed as the claims are now moot.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a right ear hearing loss disability due to incomplete audiometric results and the need for a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision also found that new evidence received after the December 2019 rating decision is relevant to these claims.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the (o) rate based on his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions. He also meets the criteria for SMC at the (r)(1) level due to need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis was denied. The Veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a higher than noncompensable rating, as his audiometric results were within normal limits. For allergic rhinitis, there was no evidence of polyps or greater than 50 percent obstruction on both sides, so he also did not qualify for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and an increased rating for persistent post-traumatic headaches has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative. The appeals for service connection for right knee, left shoulder, IBS, and TBI residuals have been remanded due to lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the VA's decision regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable rating for deviated nasal septum is not supported by adequate rationale, necessitating further review.

The Board has accepted the October 2019 VA Form 9 as timely and will proceed with a decision on the merits of the service connection claims under the legacy review system.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for treatment purposes only under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, depression, and headaches because the appeals were not timely filed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, left leg amputation to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, diabetic kidney disease with nephropathy, and bilateral hearing loss due to potential outstanding VA treatment records and private medical records. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder, an earlier effective date for DEA benefits, and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms being more closely approximated by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, including obtaining private treatment records and Air Force Reserve service records. A new VA medical opinion will also be obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), sleep apnea, hypertension, and IBS are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder and knee conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined impact of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty to assist error in not obtaining relevant civilian audiologist records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and GERD due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is also requested to provide information about his exposure to chemicals at Fort Devens?.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for interstitial lung disease is remanded and requires further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service-connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were both granted. The Veteran had constant ringing in his ears (tinnitus) during service, which is considered a qualifying event for VA purposes. However, the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability.