Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to her service, specifically her noise exposure during active duty. However, a new medical opinion is needed to provide an adequate assessment of this claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and found that a compensable initial rating of 10 percent was warranted for his hypertension. The evidence showed that the Veteran had consistently high blood pressure readings, with diastolic pressures predominantly at or above 100 and systolic pressures predominantly at or above 160, requiring continuous medication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as new and relevant evidence was not submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervicalgia, left hand condition, right hand condition, hearing loss, and tinnitus as there is no evidence of these conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for cervical condition is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for PTSD under the modernized review system is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral foot disability (claimed as pes planus) are remanded due to inadequate medical examinations. The AOJ must obtain additional development by scheduling VA examinations and providing adequate rationale in their opinions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinion in the March 2021 VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to potential errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is related to the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right leg varicose veins is denied as there was no evidence of chronicity or aggravation during service.,Service connection for left leg disability (pain, claimed as left varicose veins) is denied as the appellant has not had a current diagnosis of such condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates because the VA Form 10182 Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (NOD) was not timely or valid, and thus did not comply with claims-processing rules.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding records from Laredo Hearing & Balance Solutions. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss will be reconsidered with these additional records.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.