Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining claims of service connection for hypertension, kidney disease, COPD, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, vertigo, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

Your appeals have been dismissed because the VA Form 10182, Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement), was not timely filed within one year from the date of the rating decisions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors prior to the December 2019 rating decision, including incomplete claims file and lack of VA audiometry records. The Board also notes that the December 2019 VA examination opinion was inadequate as it did not consider the Veteran's report of 'ear trouble' or a perforated right ear drum on separation from service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his conditions preexisted service and were not aggravated by military noise exposure.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection for tinnitus is established as directly related to military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss are granted service connection as they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as 0 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and headaches have been dismissed due to non-jurisdictional procedural defects.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss was dismissed. Service connection for TBI and obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD, were granted. Service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, secondary to PTSD, was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected hearing loss is denied, and his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for bullous emphysema was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for such a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral posterior synechia; bilateral dry eye syndrome; left eye band keratopathy; and bilateral pseudophakia (previously rated as uveitis) was denied due to lack of incapacitating episodes during the past year.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hearing loss was denied because his best corrected visual acuity did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) was denied as there was no evidence linking ED to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and COPD were not considered until October 3, 2019, which is more than a year after the June 25, 2018 intent to file. As a result, these claims are denied as they do not meet the requirement of being filed within one year of the intent to file.,The Veteran's claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was also considered on October 3, 2019, and since he does not have a permanent total disability rating prior to that date, his DEA claim is denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as unspecified anxiety disorder, and his tinnitus are granted service connection. Service connection for rhinitis, sinusitis, and bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a lack of VA examination.

The Board has readjudicated the claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, cervical spine disability, skin disability, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, with no worse than Level I in both ears.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of information regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The RO is instructed to obtain this information. Additionally, a new opinion from an audiologist is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective February 4, 2019. The left hip strain rating was denied, as well as the RLE radiculopathy service connection claim.