Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not rated compensable, and the issue of service connection for bilateral knee disability with neuropathy is remanded due to a lack of an opinion regarding its onset in service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims of service connection for an eye disability and a sleep disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of permanent aggravation during active service and that the preexisting condition did not worsen. The Veteran reported hearing loss at entry into service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active-duty military service and considering continuity of symptomatology since separation.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty to assist error in obtaining missing service treatment records, including the separation examination report. The Veteran's hearing loss is being reviewed again as it may be related to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss from December 18, 2019 is denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for erectile dysfunction and scars, residuals of prostatectomy abdomen (x4) are both denied. The Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 9, 2021 is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current hearing disability for VA purposes, thus denying the claim for bilateral hearing loss. For knee conditions, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including high cholesterol, bilateral hearing loss, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cervical spine disability, right arm numbness, left arm numbness, right lower extremity numbness, and hypertension. The claims are pending further review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right thumb wound, headache disability, right eye scar, head trauma, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left ear injury, right arm scar, chest scar, forehead scar, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety). The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been granted. Prostate cancer is presumed due to exposure under the PACT Act. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also granted as secondary to the service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and information to determine appropriate ratings for his service-connected disabilities, including left ear hearing loss and residuals of lumbar laminectomy. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy, urinary condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals of the compensable rating for left knee scar and service connection for urinary condition have been dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and left knee disability due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. The decision is based on the Veteran's self-reported history of hearing problems and tinnitus during and shortly after service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, and an addendum opinion is needed to consider the aggregate effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss.