Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's TDIU claim from September 24, 2021 to the present is dismissed as moot because he already had a 100% schedular rating and SMC at the housebound rate. The one-year period prior to September 24, 2021 for establishing eligibility for SMC was denied due to no single service-connected disability causing unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service dates are not verified, which prevents a determination on his claims for service connection. The case is being remanded to verify these dates.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and traumatic brain injury have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for lumbosacral spine disability, right arm/shoulder disability, and headache (including tension and migraine) are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, migraines, and seizure disorder. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has denied service connection for heat stroke, hearing loss, congestive heart failure, and abnormal weight gain. The appeal is remanded for further examination regarding the Veteran's OSA and sleep disturbances.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a continuity of symptoms post-service. The Board also found that the medical opinions provided were inadequate to establish a link between current hearing loss and/or tinnitus and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to 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 and remanded the issue of increased rating for left knee strain.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of hearing loss was dismissed because the Notice of Disagreement (NOD) filed in February 2022 was not valid as it did not identify a specific rating decision with disagreement.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error in obtaining missing service treatment records. The Veteran's conditions include bilateral hearing loss, head injury, left and right knee conditions, left and right foot conditions, and left and right shoulder conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder condition, lower back condition, bilateral ankle condition, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The evidence did not meet the minimum requirements to trigger VA's duty to assist in these cases.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of right ear hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since October 22, 2021. The Board found that the evidence did not show exceptional hearing loss or other factors warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss of either ear, according to VA standards. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss disability. The issues of service connection for left shoulder condition and right shoulder condition are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete facts in the March 2021 VA examination. The Veteran is requested to provide an addendum medical opinion that addresses his lay statements regarding noise exposure, his Combat Action Badge, and his use of hearing protection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete reasoning in a previous VA examination, and further medical opinion is needed.