Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a heart disorder (atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy) due to inconsistencies in medical evidence and need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The appeal for service connection of right ear hearing loss is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD from January 23, 2018 is granted. The appeal for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent prior to March 2, 2020. The most probative evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and prostate disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran will need to provide VA with any relevant medical records, including a July 2012 audiogram, and undergo new examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address the threshold shift in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to October 14, 2020. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation based on objective testing results.

The Veteran's claims for left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, skin rash, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have been reopened. The Board found new and material evidence in the form of the Veteran's testimony regarding her service experiences and symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be reconsidered with an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran's left inguinal hernia is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted under the current criteria.,The Veteran's left inguinal hernia scar is rated as 10 percent due to pain, but no higher.

Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,A 20 percent rating, but no higher, for right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis is granted.,A compensable (10%) rating for right knee patella tendon repair scar prior to September 16, 2020 is granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patella tendon repair scar from September 16, 2020 is denied.,Prior to June 3, 2021, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patella tendon tear with degenerative joint disease is denied. On and after June 3, 2021, a 40 percent rating, but no higher, for the same condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left ear hearing loss and body tremors are dismissed because the VA Form 10182 was not timely submitted in the modernized system.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no current diagnosis of these disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and hazardous noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should have been provided VA examinations and medical opinions assessing his claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction before the November 2022 rating decision on appeal was issued. The case is REMANDED to correct this error.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with the most probative evidence showing Level I hearing acuity in both ears.,The Veteran's right ear scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7800 due to lack of one characteristic of disfigurement.,The Veteran's skin rash / eczema is rated as noncompensable, with the most probative evidence showing intermittent topical therapy and no systemic therapy required over the past 12 months.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently evaluated as noncompensable (0 percent disabling) due to the presence of an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment, resulting in a Level II numeric designation. The claim for a compensable rating is denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated at 60 percent, and the Board found no evidence to support a higher rating.