Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the failure to obtain an adequate examination with the file.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with the VA finding that his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For PTSD, the Veteran's disability level remains at 70 percent, and no higher rating is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left 5th finger degenerative arthritis, left testicle pain, heartburn, and headache disorder. Service connection was denied for hearing loss in the right ear.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder tendonitis were denied. The effective date of service connection for the right shoulder tendonitis was granted on May 1, 2023, but no earlier. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder disability, major depressive disorder, and right ankle sprain are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left foot hallux valgus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a present disability in each condition that began during his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.,Right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral foot conditions, and hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined disability rating of 90%.

The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board also granted the Veteran's requests to readjudicate previously denied claims for service connection of left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded due to the need to verify an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's cardiac disability is caused by exposure to fuel in his military occupational specialty (MOS) in helicopter repair. The bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not caused by the Veteran's military noise exposure.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraines, and hypertension is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and service. The Veteran's STRs did not show complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that his current diagnosis is related to his military service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's spouse is seeking a TDIU for accrued benefits purposes based on his service-connected disabilities. The claim was previously denied, but the Board finds it should be remanded to consider the merits of the issue from the effective date of service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's essential tremor, labyrinthitis, and Meniere's disease were granted service connection as secondary to her service-connected TBI.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is due to noise exposure during active duty and resolving doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and chronic sinusitis are not service-connected as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, or shoulder arthritis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is granted, while the right ear hearing loss claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal of his right ear hearing loss claim is dismissed. His claims for tinnitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and several other conditions are granted. The remaining claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examination reports are inadequate for rating purposes and have committed a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and headache disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The VA examinations did not address whether the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his National Guard service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity did not warrant such a rating based on VA and private audiometric evaluations.