Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and hearing loss, finding no current disabilities at the time of the September 2020 AOJ decision on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for OCD and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is remanded due to the inadequacy of the audiometric test results and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for acne, bilateral hearing loss, and oral neoplasm due to a lack of evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence is at least in equipoise that his current hearing loss disability is related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, nor could it establish continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disease, stroke residuals, diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were all denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War, or any other specific environment was not considered in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected hearing loss has been denied. The Board has remanded the remaining issues, including TDIU and DEA eligibility.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and shrapnel injuries. However, as he has already received assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, the special home adaptation grant is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran is not competent to diagnose these conditions, but his assertions are sufficient to trigger VA's duty to provide an examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 16, 2021, and after that date was denied. The Veteran also had his claim for an increased rating for tinnitus denied. Finally, the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 16, 2021, and after that date was denied. His claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was also denied. The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea was denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus disability is related to his active-duty service and grants service connection for it. However, due to errors in obtaining a VA examination for bilateral hearing loss, the case is being remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran submitted a supplemental claim (VA Form 20-995) before filing an appeal, and the AOJ deferred the issues related to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it had its onset during active duty service and is related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 100 percent for the Veteran's service-connected Meniere's syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision affords the full benefit of doubt to the Veteran in light of his reported symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant such a rating.