Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and a higher rating is not warranted.,His hypertension has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, bronchitis, cognitive disability (claimed as neurological signs and symptoms), and liver condition are all presumed to be related to service exposure. However, the claims for left ankle strain, right ankle strain, and sinusitis on a direct basis need further examination and evidence.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, finding that it was caused by events during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left leg disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The claims of service connection for PTSD, right leg disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing loss did not increase in severity during his active duty service and was not aggravated by it. The evidence showed no permanent shift in hearing thresholds from induction to separation.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 19, 2020 for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim was reasonably encompassed by a prior claim for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for atrial fibrillation, pulmonary granuloma, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete VA examinations and a lack of toxic exposure documentation. The Veteran's service records indicate he served as a pest management specialist with potential in-service exposures.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active-duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether it was caused by noise exposure during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. For bilateral hearing loss, the evidence does not show a current disability as defined by VA regulations. For tinnitus, the Board found that it had its onset in service and continues to this day.

The reduction from a 20% to a 0% disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was proper, and the Veteran's claim for reinstatement of the prior 20% rating is denied.,A rating in excess of 20% for bilateral hearing loss from December 12, 2018, to August 1, 2020, is denied.,A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from August 1, 2020, to March 15, 2021, is denied.,A 20% rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted from March 15, 2021.

The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis was granted service connection. His bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea were denied.

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

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for dizziness and left ear hearing loss were dismissed. Service connection was granted for hypertension, bladder obstruction, and PTSD on a direct basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no current evidence of a hearing disability for VA purposes and that it is less likely than not caused by or related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active-duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no medical evidence showing a link between the conditions and his military service.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hernia surgery has been remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as incurred in service due to military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis. The remaining issues of service connection have been denied due to a lack of current disability.