Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that tends to prove or disprove a matter at issue in his claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and insomnia has been granted an initial increased rating of 70 percent, effective from October 2, 2020, through February 1, 2021.

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination and missing post-service medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests for an earlier effective date for awards of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Basic Eligibility of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The effective dates remain June 23, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with depressive and anxious features. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were related to his military service.,Specifically, the Board found no nexus between the current disabilities and service due to the Veteran's consistent denial of hearing loss and ear trouble during and after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no nexus between his current hearing loss and his hazardous noise exposure during service. The evidence did not show a permanent shift in hearing thresholds during service, and post-service treatment records indicated normal hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions began during active military service and have been continuous since then.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA purposes and denied service connection for this condition. The claims for left shoulder disorder and neck disorder are REMANDED due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss on an aggravation basis and right ear hearing loss on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions were aggravated by service in both cases.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, median nerve paralysis of the right and left hands, and carpal tunnel syndromes are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or onset within one year of separation. The disabilities were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has restored the initial 40 percent rating for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, effective July 15, 2019. The reduction from 40 percent to 0 percent was improper due to inadequate procedural notice.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for tinnitus is granted, while the claim for hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 was granted a 30% rating. Service connection for hypertension, major depressive disorder, right shoulder disorder (painful limitation of motion), and hearing loss in the right ear were all denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, a foot disorder, and a hand/finger disorder due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current symptoms of tinnitus, which he reported beginning during service.

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 claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.