Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted an initial 70 percent rating, effective July 12, 2018. His bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and a duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left leg sciatic peripheral neuropathy, as well as service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's appeal is currently in process.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service and conceded hazardous noise exposure.

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to increased ratings and service connection due to a withdrawal of appeal by the Veteran's attorney.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for hearing loss and service connection for right index finger arthritis and pain have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, liver disability (hepatitis C with hepatic steatosis), skin disability (actinic keratosis and seborrheic keratosis), right shoulder disability, and nasal disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence. The Board finds that a new VA examination and opinion are necessary.

The appeal of the claim for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed. The claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his income exceeded the poverty threshold for one person in 2017. The Board finds that he has sufficient work experience and training to perform other occupations.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for right knee disability have been dismissed.,For the period from February 1, 2019 to November 16, 2022, the Veteran's headaches were rated at 30%.,The Veteran's plantar fasciitis was denied a rating in excess of 10% for the period from February 1, 2019 to November 16, 2022. However, starting from February 1, 2023, he received a 30% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background, as he had administrative experience in the military.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with other disabilities, does not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded both issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's reported symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and hemorrhoids, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to active service.,Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss due to a lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma, high blood pressure, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for these conditions based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for back disability due to potential aggravation by service-connected left knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and ulcerative colitis, but denied service connection for tinnitus.