Hearing loss decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, TBI, tinnitus, and hearing loss disabilities prevented him from following substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2010. The Board grants an effective date of May 1, 2010 for the award of TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was granted with an effective date of January 5, 2022.,Claims for bilateral hearing loss and midsternal chest scar were denied as the earliest possible effective dates are January 5, 2022.,Claim for left lower extremity scar was also denied as the earliest possible effective dates are January 5, 2022.

The appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection granted for Gulf War Syndrome (claimed as bilateral ankle discoloration and knots) stemming from June 1, 2018 claim. Hearing loss service connection denied.,PTSD service connection granted with an initial rating of 50 percent but no higher.,Back condition and bilateral ankle conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including OCD, anxiety, and depressive disorder), tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, tinnitus, left foot hallux valgus, and bilateral hearing loss on a direct basis.,Service connection is established for these conditions as the evidence is at least evenly balanced regarding their onset in service.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right foot disability, left foot disability, TMD with bruxism, dermatitis, and migraines. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities in any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss, chronic sinusitis, and rhinitis are remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, vertigo, diabetes mellitus, heart disability, gastrointestinal problems, and pancreatitis have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and anxiety and depression. The evidence did not meet the criteria for these conditions to be considered disabilities under VA regulations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and has continued since, granting entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for tinnitus and hearing loss disability due to potential secondary service connection, as there is evidence that suggests a relationship between these conditions and service. The Veteran will have an opportunity to submit additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and hypertension have been denied as there is no current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism has also been denied, with the evidence persuasively weighing against a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The right ear hearing loss disability claim is denied as there is no current hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria. The IBS rating remains at 30 percent, with sinusitis rated at 10 percent. Allergic rhinitis and headaches are not compensable under current ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea on a secondary basis were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. Claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine pain, left shoulder tendinitis (from August 9, 2023), left wrist sprain, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome were denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to active-duty service and granted. However, the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for BPPV.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since June 19, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not warrant a compensable rating based on VA examination results.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and polyneuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.