Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to need the regular aid and assistance of another person, qualifying for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to SMC by reason of housebound status is moot as a result.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not caused by or a result of noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. Bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, while tinnitus is linked to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder were denied, while the appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was remanded. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings for either condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for service-connected left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss pre-existed service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were dismissed due to a procedural defect in the filing of their appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of bilateral hearing loss, bilateral otosclerosis, and tinnitus was dismissed as his request to file a VA Form 10182 was not timely.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the Veteran's attorney requested an extension for filing a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) due to COVID-19, and this request has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss cases are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The decision on appeal is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic thoracolumbar strain and IVDS, 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss, or any higher ratings for radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a link between the condition and service. Service connection was granted for tinnitus, with the decision finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, as there is no record of the Veteran's February 2021 private audiometric test results. The AOJ must request these records and attempt to obtain them on the Veteran's behalf.

The Veteran's combined rating of 90 percent based on past-due benefits granted in May 2024 is denied as the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.