Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, and if so, whether it worsened during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's military occupational specialty (aircraft mechanic) which carries a high probability of hazardous noise exposure, as well as his lay statements about loud noise while working on aircraft. The claims are being returned to obtain an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss. The VA has not provided all of the Veteran's audiometric test results, which are relevant to this claim. Therefore, the case is being remanded to ensure these records are included in the claims file.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service and have continued since.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims at this time.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not meet the criteria for VA purposes at separation.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with continuity of symptoms from service to present.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations, and he is still homeless.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the onset of bilateral hearing loss and its relation to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating, and no higher, for the appellant's allergic rhinitis. The appeal is remanded for further action on service connection claims.,Additional medical opinions are needed due to recent changes in law regarding toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) under the PACT Act.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or auditory damage leading to current hearing loss. The Veteran's statements regarding etiology are not competent and lack weight.

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is granted. The decision on the claim for aggravation of pre-existing bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 2, 2022 for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no legal basis upon which to award such a date.

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

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied as his audiometric results do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, and PTSD due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is advised that he needs to cooperate in providing information for his claim.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with the Board finding that his current level of impairment does not warrant a higher rating based on the objective test results and existing schedular criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development of records.

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

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, and the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for left shoulder disability is denied because the in-service left shoulder strain resolved prior to separation from service and is unrelated to the current diagnosis.