Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because the new evidence received did not show a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran is not entitled to a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, a 50 percent disability rating for obstructive sleep apnea, or an effective date earlier than March 24, 2020, for the grant of service connection for traumatic deviated septum and sleep apnea.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 8, 2018 was denied. The Board found that he is not entitled to a higher disability rating for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety), headache disorder, TBI, pseudofolliculitis barbae, sinusitis, left knee disability, right knee disability, and tinea versicolor of the arms, leg, chest, and face are all denied.

The Veteran's claims for sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, ulnar neuropathy with loss of muscle right upper extremity, GERD, headaches, cervical strain with arthritis, and loss of balance were denied effective dates earlier than January 19, 2011, December 3, 2012, and June 19, 2014 respectively.,There is no evidence of formal or informal claims before these dates for the respective issues.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA audiological examination to determine the current nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, including considering in-service noise exposure and service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has not been rated higher than the current 0 percent evaluation due to the lack of evidence showing that his hearing impairment more nearly approximates a compensable level.,The VA examiner did not provide sufficient rationale for the opinion regarding lumbosacral strain, and an addendum is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence when the claim is readjudicated.

The appeal seeking to readjudicate a claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted. The appeal seeking to readjudicate a claim for degenerative joint disease of the left knee is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied because his pure tone thresholds did not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability. The claim for tinnitus was granted as it began during active service and has persisted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable (zero percent) due to the audiometric results showing no more than Level I in both ears, which is the lowest rating available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss in the left ear has been withdrawn by the Veteran and his representative, thus dismissing the appeal.

The Board has identified errors in the prior decision and has ordered remand for further investigation into the Veteran's claimed service exposure to herbicide agents, particularly during his TDY assignments in Vietnam. The issues of diabetes mellitus type II, Parkinson's disease, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Meniere's disease, aortic and vein disability, left lower diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower diabetic peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and vertigo are all remanded for further review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his tinnitus had its onset during active military service due to in-service acoustic trauma. However, the Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, as he does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it began during his military service. However, the Veteran's hearing loss disability does not meet VA criteria for a current disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss in the left ear for VA purposes, and thus denied service connection. For the right ear, the Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's hearing loss was incurred during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The case is being returned for a new opinion from a qualified clinician.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and low back disorder. The Veteran's current disabilities were not incurred in or caused by active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a diagnosis within one year after separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, finding that it is related to noise exposure during military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not warrant any increase in disability compensation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision on tinnitus is based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure, while the decision on hearing loss is based on a lack of current disability as defined by VA standards.