Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily the residuals of prostate cancer, have rendered him unemployable as of October 2, 2023. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran on this issue.

The Veteran seeks an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss, which is currently assigned as 0 percent. The Board finds that the AOJ must attempt to obtain all relevant VA treatment records not already associated with the claims file.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for anxiety/depression, bradycardia, hearing loss, left knee disability, low back disability, migraines, right ankle disability, and tinnitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ should provide an examination for the Appellant's bradycardia.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and onychomycosis. The Veteran's conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure and/or active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection was denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate VA medical opinions and incomplete evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, effective October 23, 2020.,The Board has granted a higher disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and set an effective date of October 23, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability meeting the VA criteria for hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a failure to address the duties of the VLJ in relation to the May 2022 hearing, and to obtain an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent rating for migraine headaches, but no higher.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as it was not shown to have been worsened during service.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is denied because the condition is not due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The decision on whether he is entitled to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, as well as his entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, but remanded for further development regarding his claim for vertigo and/or dizziness.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the objective medical evidence during the appeal period shows bilateral hearing loss at levels no more than Level II in the right ear and Level I in the left ear.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The Board considered evidence of noise exposure during service and concluded that both conditions began during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board denied an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD with MDD, but granted a TDIU for the period from September 5, 2019, to October 18, 2021.

Service connection is denied for right ear hearing loss, kidney cyst disorder, and muscle cramps/tense muscles disorder.,Effective date of August 29, 2023, granted for service connection of right hand neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, photo contact dermatitis, left ear hearing loss, right shoulder scar, left shoulder scar, heart disability, right hip limitation of extension, right hip limitation of adduction and abduction, right hip painful motion, left hip limitation of extension, left hip limitation of adduction and abduction, left hip painful motion, right foot tendinitis and tendinopathy, left foot tendinitis and tendinopathy, left ankle tendinopathy, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right shoulder status post arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction, tendonitis, and tenodesis, right eye glaucoma and dry eye syndrome, left eye glaucoma and dry eye syndrome, anxiety with bruxism, disc herniation and mild stenosis of the lumbar spine, and diverticulitis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The Veteran's hip conditions are also found to be related to his service-connected lumbar spine condition.