Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for a higher disability rating for acoustic neuroma with bilateral hearing loss and an earlier effective date for the grant of a 30 percent disability rating. The Board has ordered remand due to missing VA treatment records that should have been added to the claims file.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for tension headaches, and increased rating for dermatitis as they were not properly initiated by a recognized representative.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the condition began during or is related to his military service. The Veteran was exposed to hazardous noise in service, which may have contributed to his current hearing loss.

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

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a current disability.,The appellant's appeals for sleep disorder and diabetes were dismissed as premature, as they were not adjudicated in the January 2023 rating decision.

Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted, and an initial evaluation of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss from August 17, 2017 is also granted. The Veteran's depressive disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for a new audiological examination. The Veteran's hearing loss disability needs further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for service connection for various conditions including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the hands and wrists, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran was not provided notice of his right to a pre-decisional hearing before the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss are both denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a current disability by VA standards in either ear, and there is no exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will obtain an addendum medical opinion from the May 2023 VA examiner regarding the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to perform functions related to employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities, which do not include anatomical loss or use of both hands or burn injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and current diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder are granted as service-connected. The Board found the evidence in equipoise regarding a nexus to military service.

The Veteran's appeal of the proposed reduction in his bilateral hearing loss disability rating from 60 percent to 50 percent is dismissed because the appeal was submitted prematurely.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of current diagnosis. The claims for left hip strain, right hip strain, and lumbosacral strain are remanded as the Veteran's current diagnoses have not been addressed.

The Veteran's compensation benefits were overpaid due to a mistake in the calculation of rates for his spouse, who had passed away. The debt is waived because the fault lies with VA and on balance equity and good conscience favor granting the waiver.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was initially denied in 2013 and again in 2015 and 2017. The Veteran filed a new claim on August 3, 2020, which was timely submitted after the one-year deadline. An effective date of August 3, 2020, but no earlier, is granted for the award of service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated and found to warrant a disability rating of 60 percent, effective from the date of the March 2024 supplemental claim decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no current disability of either condition for VA compensation purposes.