Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia with memory loss, anxiety, and depression, was granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The VA examiner linked the onset to his in-service experiences.,The Veteran's claim for TBI/Residuals of TBI was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or residuals associated with such.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the March 2022 VA examination and potential inextricability with another issue.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected right-sided hearing loss was denied by the Board. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 0 percent during the appeal period.

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

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS, thus not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently assigned a noncompensable rating, and the claim for a compensable evaluation is denied.,There is no evidence of a current left hip disability during or approximate to the period on appeal. The claim for service connection for a left hip condition is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder with alcohol dependency is remanded as there was no specific assertion of PTSD and VA examination is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the claimed psychiatric disorder, including whether it is secondary to or caused by a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded due to his assertion that it is secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection for diabetes mellitus (to include as secondary to hypertension) is also remanded based on the Veteran's assertion of its secondary relationship to hypertension.,Right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are remanded as they are claimed to be secondary to diabetes mellitus, which is itself a claim that requires further development.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy claims are remanded based on the same reasoning as his diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran's left eye pinguecula and bilateral hearing loss were evaluated, but the right ankle disability was denied due to lack of current disability.,Service connection for a right knee disability is also denied as there is no nexus between the current condition and service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination, requiring a new examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, specifically whether it is related to service or if it was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, bilateral leg and foot swelling, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a chipped upper front tooth due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is also requested to provide evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection claims and increased rating claims. The initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable. The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, left foot condition, and left ankle condition due to a duty to assist error.,The Veteran's right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, left foot condition, and left ankle disability are being remanded as well.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his pre-existing hearing loss did not worsen during military service and thus cannot be considered aggravated by service.

The Board dismissed the request to reduce the Veteran's rating for bilateral hearing loss from 20% to noncompensable, as no initial decision was made at the time of the proposed reduction.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinion relied on in the June 2022 rating decision is inadequate and remands the case for a new opinion to address whether the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to service, including conceded noise exposure from his duties as an aircraft armament repairman and ordinance specialist.