Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder, and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entire period on appeal. As his combined disability rating is at least 70 percent, he meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that his current tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure. However, the Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied, as there is no persuasive evidence of current bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence of current disability meeting VA criteria, and the Veteran's symptoms are not linked to military noise exposure.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection based on a June 2024 Board decision.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a current disability, onset during service, or relationship to in-service noise exposure.,For his left foot disability, the Board finds that there was an error in the decision-making process regarding the duty to assist. The Veteran's claim will be remanded to allow for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure, while his right ear hearing loss is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection has been granted for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, but denied for his right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not established, while the Veteran's knee disabilities (including arthritis and instability) were found to be rated appropriately based on their current manifestations.

Service connection for ED was granted with an effective date of May 17, 2021.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied prior to January 20, 2022.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was granted with an effective date of January 5, 2024.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for kidney disability was denied.,Service connection for OSA was granted.,Service connection for PTSD was denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include MDD and anxiety was granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and schizophrenia are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, as well as his claim for increased disability evaluation rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus. The decision also remanded several issues including service connection for headaches/migraines, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and right toe condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of left ear hearing loss as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for chronic left shoulder strain due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, low back disability, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to the untimely filing of their Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ must obtain a new VA medical opinion and readjudicate the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea (including as secondary to tinnitus), diabetes mellitus, and migraine headaches due to potential new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Board has found a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in the VA examination for service connection of the back condition and requires an addendum opinion to address whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's back disability began in service or was caused by any incident of service.