Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as initial compensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, have all been denied.,There is no evidence to support earlier effective dates prior to January 10, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability for VA compensation benefits purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability meeting the VA compensation criteria.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was remanded due to a need for a medical examination and opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and other disabilities. The earliest effective date assigned was October 28, 2020.

The Board remands the claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) for further development.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and denied service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, varicose veins, peripheral vascular disease resulting in femoral bypass surgery, diverticulitis, and migraines.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for service-connected left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the maximum schedular disability rating of 10 percent for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there are outstanding medical records, a need for an updated VA examination, and further development is required.

The Veteran's diabetes is granted as secondary to service-connected hypertension. His left ear hearing loss and right ankle tendonitis and sprain are denied, while his allergic rhinitis remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disorder as defined by VA regulations, and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to hazardous noise exposure during his military service. The VA is instructed to obtain the Veteran's complete STRs, including a separation Report of Medical History, and provide an addendum medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure is related to his current condition.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claim for bilateral hearing loss due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is granted, with the effective date set at September 20, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for spinal stenosis (claimed as back pain), and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability are being remanded due to procedural errors in the prior rating decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection on a presumptive basis as it manifested within one year of separation. Service connection for hearing loss and GERD are denied due to lack of current disability criteria under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation and consideration of evidence.,The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability rating for his left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are not supported by evidence of a current disability. The appeals have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss disability in the right ear due to a lack of current disability as defined by VA regulations.,The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss disability in the left ear, tinnitus, and back disability (degenerative arthritis).