Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected hearing impairment, including otosclerosis and BPPV with left ear hearing loss, is now rated at 100 percent effective March 14, 2024.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that his hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and resolving any doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the claims for service connection are not considered valid as a result.

The Board has denied service connection for migraine disability and remanded the issues of bilateral hearing loss, back injury, left hip disability, and right hip disability due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since October 12, 2021. TDIU is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic cough, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The appeals are dismissed.

The Board has restored the Veteran's previous 30% disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was an actual improvement in her hearing and that this improvement reflects a better ability to function under ordinary conditions of life.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current reports of in-service onset are credible and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the July 2021 VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned. The claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to missing audiogram records.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and military noise exposure or active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. Left ear hearing loss is granted, but right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions have been remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure resulting in current hearing impairment.,The Veteran's asthma is remanded for further development and an opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but further development is needed before adjudicating their merits. The claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus remains remanded as new and material evidence was received.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at a 10 percent disability rating effective November 6, 2022. The Board also granted the claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period of appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss, as there was a duty-to-assist error related to the timing of evidence submission.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remands the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss.