Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disability, sleep apnea, GERD, and bilateral hearing loss disability due to a lack of current disabilities as required by the first element of service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is found to have aggravated his right lower extremity weakness, which has been granted as a separate condition.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for an initial, compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss as her audiological tests during the appeal period corresponded to no greater than a level I hearing loss in both ears.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it began during active service. However, the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss and therefore his claim for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as it did not meet the criteria for an effective date prior to November 21, 2022.,Service connection for hypothyroidism and emphysema were granted with an effective date of November 21, 2022. Service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease was granted with a rating of 60 percent but no higher, also with an effective date of June 13, 2023.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including dyslipidemia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction (ED), chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, right hip and left hip disabilities, bilateral foot disabilities, right ankle and left ankle disabilities, right knee and left knee disabilities, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The decision is based on the absence of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective January 21, 2020. The Board denied an earlier effective date.,The Veteran was granted eligibility for DEA benefits effective January 21, 2020. The Board denied an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is likely due to in-service noise exposure and granting the benefit of the doubt.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of current disability.,The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his left wrist condition and for service connection for sinusitis are dismissed because he did not properly file a notice of disagreement on these issues.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was found to be at level I throughout the appeal period, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board denied entitlement to a compensable rating for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment due to his education and occupational experience.

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

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service connected. The right ear hearing loss issue is remanded due to the need for an effective date.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure and resolved doubt in his favor. For bilateral hearing loss, the evidence did not meet VA criteria for a disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, right ear hearing loss, and osteoarthritis of the back are granted. The claim for hyperekplexia is denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is determined to be the result of in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids has been denied, and the hearing loss claim is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss as the appellant requested to withdraw the appeal prior to the decision being made.