Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's chronic kidney disease, Stage 3B, was not evaluated by VA due to lack of records from his civilian provider. The AOJ must obtain these records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine if he should be granted service connection for this condition.,VA provided an inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as it did not consider herbicide exposure in Vietnam, which is a TERA. The AOJ must obtain a new VA examination and provide an adequate opinion based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as service connection was not established due to lack of evidence showing a current disability during the appeal period.,There is no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus in service, and VA audiometric evaluations did not show hearing loss until October 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.,For right ear hearing loss, the Veteran was awarded a noncompensable rating based on audiometric test results showing mild to moderate hearing impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding hearing examination reports. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA. The appellant contends that his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, but the VA examiner's opinions were deemed insufficient.

The Board has denied an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the claim of service connection for tinnitus due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are not fully developed, requiring further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it had its onset in service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disorders were not diagnosed or service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability. The claim will be reviewed again with a new VA medical opinion.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for sinusitis, deviated septum, and bilateral hearing loss are denied.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for right and left knee conditions, and a hematoma of the right thigh are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a potential error in the previous VA examination. The Veteran's service records, including his MOS as water transport and service on USS Claud Jones, need to be obtained and reviewed by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, which is required by VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since April 22, 2021.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the right ear hearing loss claim due to a duty-to-assist error in failing to obtain an adequate VA opinion.