Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that his current level of hearing acuity does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with the latter being secondary to the former. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the February 2021 VA examination report, which contains conflicting findings regarding the Veteran's right ankle disability. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have led to the need for regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as it is a lesser benefit than SMC based on aid and attendance.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to the untimeliness of the appellant's VA Form 10182.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active military service, including noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches (claimed as cephalgia).

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed because the Higher-Level Review request was received prior to filing the VA Form 10182, and the Veteran did not withdraw this request.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD was denied as VA received a complete Supplemental Claim on April 23, 2019, which is considered the date of claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve), and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted effective December 21, 2022. The RO also continued the evaluations for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's reports of in-service low back pain and exposure to noise during military service, but no current hearing loss disability was found.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer) were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting either claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and major depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for the period on review.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied for bilateral hearing loss and remanded for further review of his claim for general anxiety disorder.,The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have started during active service. However, there is no evidence showing a current bilateral hearing loss disability or that it began in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with the Board finding that his condition does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports reopening these claims. However, both conditions are denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking them to service.

The Board is remanding the claims of service connection for lower back pain conditions, upper back pain conditions, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, heart condition, and hypertension due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's hearing loss claim remains denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence presented by the Veteran.