Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability based on the January 2024 rating decision by the AOJ, which is binding on the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for ischemic heart disease (atherosclerotic coronary artery disease). The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his active service, while the ischemic heart disease does not have its onset during service and there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The case is being sent back for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate VA examination, and new evidence submitted since the last denial. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service connected. The increased rating claims for right and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the back, intervertebral disc syndrome, left central disc protrusion and disc bulge at T7 through T11, right ear hearing loss disability, anxiety disorder, right hip disability, and left hip disability have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, earaches, anxiety, depression, insomnia, hip conditions, shoulder conditions, hand and knee arthritis, lumbago, plantar fasciitis, and upper extremity radiculopathy. The evidence did not support a finding of current disability or a link to service for any condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to his failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again with a new examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the most recent VA examination showing no worse than Level I in both ears. The Board denied a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

Service connection is denied for vertigo, sleep apnea, upper back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for migraine headaches has been remanded.

The appeal to service connection for left ear hearing loss is dismissed because it is subject to a pending legacy appeal. The right ear hearing loss increased rating claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities. The right knee disability, neck disability, and major depressive disorder claims are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.,The Board has also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder due to a lack of sufficient medical opinion regarding its onset during service.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance from March 12, 2021, due to his service-connected depressive disorder and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple issues has been remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional evidence, including medical opinions related to potential toxic exposure claims under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's initial claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied in August 2009, and the Board has determined that a compensable rating is not warranted. The Veteran's supplemental claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was received on January 28, 2020, which became effective as of that date.

Your appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on this claim as it is no longer pending.