Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable (0 percent), which is the lowest possible rating. The Board found that his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs further examination for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his bilateral hearing loss is denied.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left foot disability, right foot disability, back disability, and heart condition. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disability remains pending as the evidence is not sufficient to establish a direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed. The appeals for right hand, left shoulder, right knee, and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities have all been denied. The appeal for low back and left knee disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) have been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated noncompensable, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations. For PFB, the evidence did not show that the condition met the criteria for a compensable rating based on its severity or treatment requirements.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the amended regulations.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was denied due to the noncompensable disability ratings assigned based on audiometric test results.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further consideration of service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically anxiety, which he contends is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions in the previous decision. The Veteran's MOS as a light weapons infantryman is considered, but the new examination must provide sufficient rationale to support any conclusions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and athlete's foot are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty service or any compensable degree of hearing loss within the presumptive period.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss and denied his request for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for hypothyroidism. The decision on hearing loss was untimely, as it was not filed within one year of notification of the March 2015 denial. For hypothyroidism, the Board found that there were no residuals or symptoms attributable to the condition and thus did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions have been remanded multiple times, and as a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused the current condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have these conditions during service, nor can they be presumed to have developed within one year after separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for tinnitus were denied as there is no credible evidence of its onset in service or a relationship to noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of current disability and no causal relationship to military service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is manifested by Level II hearing impairment, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Board denied the claim as there was no evidence of an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment or other factors that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and bilateral hearing loss due to potential toxic exposure during service, including from Camp LeJeune. New medical opinions are needed to address these issues.