Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,There is no current evidence showing that the Veteran experienced symptoms of any of these conditions during or immediately after his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment due to their nature.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, adjustment disorder, and hepatitis C were not submitted prior to the effective dates assigned in their respective rating decisions.,An initial compensable rating for hearing loss prior to July 30, 2020, was denied. From July 30, 2020, a rating in excess of 80 percent for hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability, or a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected. The decision on bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left ear hearing loss has been denied as his current level of disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for low back disability, coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's National Guard service dates.

The Veteran's right eye disability claim is denied as there is no current evidence of a right eye disability.,The Veteran's tuberculosis claim is denied as he does not have a current tuberculosis disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The evidence did not substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was granted service connection as it pre-existed his active service and was aggravated therein. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and respiratory dyspnea were not granted increased ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss due to a lack of adequate medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, finding that it is causally related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so incapable of performing the activities of daily living that he requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a higher rating based on the mechanical application of audiometric results to the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities because the AOJ did not consider a private opinion submitted in June 2019. The Veteran meets the threshold requirements for TDIU as both bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus affect a single body system: auditory.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was denied, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure of the agency of original jurisdiction to obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for disability of the ears, other than bilateral hearing loss disability.