Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has reduced the Veteran's rating for bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to noncompensable, effective April 6, 2021. The reduction was proper as there is evidence of actual improvement in the Veteran's hearing.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left hip, right knee (secondary to lower back condition), left knee, left shoulder, right hip, and right shoulder conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility to specially adapted housing (SAH) or special home adaptation (SHA) benefits due to his combined rating of 80 percent.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The claims for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, low back condition, and left shoulder condition are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to readjudicate his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar degenerative disk disease as there was no new and relevant evidence presented since the November 2017 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete development of records, including VA audiologist's treatment notes from May 2017. A supplemental opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss was caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service acoustic trauma is at least as likely as not related to his current condition. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his employment is not in a protected environment and he can secure and follow substantially gainful employment despite his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and his tinnitus has been granted service connection. The left eye condition and PDD are both remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as incurred in service, with the Board finding that his statements of continuity of symptoms since service are credible and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from caring for himself and protecting himself, requiring regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease of the right knee, is granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's left knee instability with degenerative arthritis status post ACL reconstruction/meniscectomy is granted a 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of February 12, 2019 for the grant of a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, and service connection for a migraine including migraine variants. The Veteran's basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) is also granted with this effective date.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, acne vulgaris, scar from right knee surgery, and lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis are all rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines. The Board has remanded for further review of these claims.,The Veteran's hearing loss is not compensable as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on audiometric test results. His acne vulgaris and lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis are also rated at their maximum allowed under VA guidelines, and the Board has remanded these claims.,The Veteran's scar from right knee surgery and scar from lumbar laminectomy do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as they do not occupy an area of 929 square centimeters or greater.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headache disability, and left knee chondromalacia patellae were denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for the left knee chondromalacia patellae was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service. The decision also finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.