Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added since the last decision, and the AOJ needs to review this new information before making a final determination.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, a separate compensable rating for weight loss associated with leukemia, and TDIU prior to July 17, 2023 is denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for these benefits based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to an incomplete record, specifically missing private treatment reports from Kaiser dated since 2017.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected conditions do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, records review, and consideration of new evidence.,The Board is unable to make a determination on the merits of these issues without further development.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to the need for additional verification of the Veteran's service periods and incomplete records. The claims will be reconsidered with this information.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure likely caused his current condition. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay testimony and combat experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service connected, but his bilateral hearing loss cannot be due to in-service noise exposure. The decision for hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, left ear hearing loss, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis have been granted. The claim for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and glaucoma, finding that he did not have current disabilities as defined by VA standards.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and remanded several issues, including those related to cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, GERD, and tinnitus. The Veteran was granted a total rating based upon individual unemployability from January 10, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ should obtain a VA addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician to address the relationship between his left ear hyper-sensitivity, clogged feeling, temporary worsening of hearing, pressure, pain, and prednisone side effects and his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is related to service, including due to in-service noise exposure. The left ear hearing loss disability was denied as there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not support a nexus between his tinnitus and military noise exposure.

Service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Thailand.,Service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of current disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection on all of the veteran's claimed conditions due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no current disability meeting the criteria for a VA compensable rating.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral testicular torsion has also been denied, with the highest possible evaluation being noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 7523.

The Veteran seeks a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ failed to allow the Veteran sufficient time to convalesce from surgery before requiring him to attend an examination, which constitutes a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board is remanding the claim for rescheduling of the examination.