{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/hearing-loss","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:30:13.805Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Hearing loss","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":91802,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":20.5,"denied_pct":44.8,"remanded_pct":35.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":31.4,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":6860,"granted_pct":19.2,"denied_pct":42.1,"remanded_pct":34.5},{"year":2018,"issues":11487,"granted_pct":20.3,"denied_pct":41,"remanded_pct":36.1},{"year":2019,"issues":13663,"granted_pct":21.2,"denied_pct":39.6,"remanded_pct":37.6},{"year":2020,"issues":12443,"granted_pct":18.9,"denied_pct":44.2,"remanded_pct":35.2},{"year":2021,"issues":10314,"granted_pct":18.9,"denied_pct":42.7,"remanded_pct":36.6},{"year":2022,"issues":10204,"granted_pct":20.5,"denied_pct":36.9,"remanded_pct":40.8},{"year":2023,"issues":10627,"granted_pct":19.7,"denied_pct":42.2,"remanded_pct":36.5},{"year":2024,"issues":10107,"granted_pct":18.7,"denied_pct":49,"remanded_pct":30.8},{"year":2025,"issues":9428,"granted_pct":16.4,"denied_pct":56.9,"remanded_pct":25.1},{"year":2026,"issues":3450,"granted_pct":21.3,"denied_pct":55.1,"remanded_pct":21.8}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":84,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":10425,"granted_pct_with":47.7,"granted_pct_without":28.5},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":76429,"granted_pct_with":30.9,"granted_pct_without":36.8},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":14629,"granted_pct_with":61.5,"granted_pct_without":23.8},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":50436,"granted_pct_with":40.2,"granted_pct_without":19.3},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":27475,"granted_pct_with":40.7,"granted_pct_without":26.6},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":2443,"granted_pct_with":43.6,"granted_pct_without":31.1},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":77051,"granted_pct_with":31.5,"granted_pct_without":30.8},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":2205,"granted_pct_with":44.4,"granted_pct_without":31.1},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":7963,"granted_pct_with":47.6,"granted_pct_without":29.7}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"in-service noise exposure conceded","decisions":2898},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":2468},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":1055},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":252},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":181},{"reason":"veteran has current bilateral hearing loss","decisions":156}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":4391},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":4002},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":3641},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":2262},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":2218},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":1263}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040456","year":2026,"judge":"PAUL SORISIO","rationale":"Continuity of symptomatology since service; Presumed incurred in service; Positive treating physician opinion; Inadequate VA opinion"},{"case_id":"A26040484","year":2026,"judge":"DONNIE R. HACHEY","rationale":"Evidence of in-service acoustic noise trauma conceded by AOJ; Current diagnosis of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss meets VA criteria; Veteran's testimony regarding hearing loss since service found competent and credible; Private medical opinion from Dr. H. provided positive nexus to noise expos… [truncated, 3 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26040508","year":2026,"judge":"J.P. NORMAN","rationale":"Evidence evenly balanced to suggest valid diagnosis; Likely manifested during active duty service; At least as likely as not otherwise directly attributable to service"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"26005101","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"No diagnosis of hearing loss during service; No competent evidence of current qualifying hearing loss; VA medical opinions found no service connection; Hearing loss unrelated to service"},{"case_id":"A26040538","year":2026,"judge":"GAYLE STROMMEN","rationale":"Audiological results from January 2024 and June 2024 examinations.; Results correspond to Level I impairment in both ears under Table IV of 38 C.F.R. § 4.85.; Intersection points under Table VII of 38 C.F.R. § 4.85 indicate a noncompensable rating."},{"case_id":"A26040595","year":2026,"judge":"S. B. MAYS","rationale":"Service treatment records negative for hearing loss complaints or diagnosis during service or at separation.; Multiple VA examinations provided negative nexus opinions, citing long post-service gap, alternative explanations (aging, tumor), and Veteran's reported later onset.; Board found VA opinions… [truncated, 75 chars omitted]"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[{"citation":"38 CFR 4.85","title":"Evaluation of hearing impairment","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.85"},{"citation":"38 CFR 4.87","title":"Schedule of ratings: ear","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.87"},{"citation":"38 CFR 3.385","title":"Disability due to impaired hearing","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.385"},{"citation":"M21-1 V.iii.2.B.1","title":"Service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, incl. Guard and Reserve duty","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000014464/M21-1-Part-V-Subpart-iii-Chapter-2-Section-B-Conditions-of-the-Auditory-System"},{"citation":"M21-1 V.iii.2.B.2","title":"Evaluating hearing impairment: definition, test methods, exceptional patterns","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000014464/M21-1-Part-V-Subpart-iii-Chapter-2-Section-B-Conditions-of-the-Auditory-System"}]}}