Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports these determinations. The Board also found reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran regarding both conditions' etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further action due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and addressing the Veteran's reported noise exposure during service.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability. The claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded as there was a failure to provide an opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the Veteran's passing during the appeal process.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for compensation for eye damage and hearing loss as they were not ripe for appellate consideration at the time of the Veteran's Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus must be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to provide proper notice regarding missing records. The Veteran is presumed to have experienced noise exposure in service, but further examination and opinion are needed to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's sensorineural hearing loss of the left ear is currently rated as noncompensable, with a maximum rating of Level II.,The Veteran's residuals from a left anterior tibial plateau fracture with degenerative joint disease are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating may be warranted based on additional evidence and examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically related to noise exposure during service and its onset within one year after separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions regarding her exposure to herbicide agents, toxins, and noise during active service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the submission received on July 13, 2020 did not raise any new allegations of errors of fact or law for appellate consideration.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and right ear hearing loss are granted as service-connected.,Right hand injury residuals are denied as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received, including exposure to toxic substances and potential participation in a TERA. The Veteran's respiratory and hearing disabilities are related to his military service, but the right shoulder disability is not. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of all conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not support a link to an event, disease, or injury during active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for left ear sensorineural hearing loss was dismissed because it was a prohibited concurrent election.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's separation audiogram suggested left ear hearing loss, but no current audiometric test results were provided. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has a bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received after the final AOJ decisions. The Veteran's service connection claims are now pending again.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.