Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA's definition of hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's freestanding claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a failure to obtain VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inconsistencies in his statements regarding in-service onset of these conditions. The VA examination conducted is deemed inadequate, and a new one must be scheduled.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service or in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a left wrist fracture and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating for left ear hearing loss due to a lack of adequate VA examination. The Veteran's hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, but the evidence does not conclusively establish that it began during service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's hearing levels did not warrant a higher than noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his current condition is related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection must be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. Specifically, VA did not attempt to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records and Georgia disability records which are potentially relevant to the claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran does not have a current disability that meets VA's definition of hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, but his bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current audiometric test results.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's STRs and current hearing loss reports. The claim will be reconsidered with an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible assertions of in-service noise exposure and his current symptoms, with no contemporaneous medical records showing in-service complaints or treatment.

New and relevant evidence has been received for several previously denied service connection claims, including cervical spine condition, ED, left lower extremity tingling and numbness, left upper extremity tingling and numbness, right lower extremity tingling and numbness, right upper extremity tingling and numbness, lumbar spine condition, tension headaches, diabetes mellitus type II, hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. These claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal of the service connection claim for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple issues are being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for status post bilateral inguinal repair is dismissed, and the issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his current condition is related to in-service acoustic trauma.