Hearing loss decisions — 2024

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

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on his current hearing acuity levels. For the lumbar degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, the Board remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination findings regarding flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation. The Veteran's right ear does not meet VA criteria for hearing loss and his left ear does not have hearing loss at all.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for dermatitis was dismissed. His claim for service connection for OSA was dismissed as the June 2023 decision effectively granted his appeal in full. The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, but granted a 10 percent rating for sinusitis.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for parkinsonism as it was granted in a previous decision. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected, but his right ear hearing loss and sleep apnea are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claim for bipolar disorder and the issues of COPD, hypertension, left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and left elbow disability are being remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The AOJ is required to obtain new, adequate medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran did not serve during a period of war, and therefore the appellant is not entitled to pension benefits. The Veteran's death occurred after he had received his last VA benefit claim, so accrued benefits are also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

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

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a compensable degree of hearing loss within one year of separation from service, and continuity of symptomatology is not established. The Board finds the current hearing loss more likely due to natural progression after military service rather than noise exposure in service.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, low back condition, radiculopathy of the left leg, PTSD, and prostate cancer, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU effective August 19, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and is remanding the issue of a compensable initial rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches and obstructive sleep apnea are pending as additional evidence or clarification is needed.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was not received to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, and bilateral ear disabilities. The claim for bilateral ear disability other than hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo is readjudicated as having been supported by new evidence.