Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it began in-service and has continued since. However, the bilateral hearing loss claim was denied due to lack of evidence showing a link between service exposure and current hearing issues.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for depression, anxiety, and insomnia are remanded.

The appeal with respect to bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder dislocation for accrued benefits purposes, or on the basis of substitution is dismissed. The case is REMANDED for further clarification regarding whether the appellant wishes to proceed as a substitute claimant.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and Crohn's disease due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran is presumed to have incurred these conditions during his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 27, 2023. The Board has determined that a TDIU is warranted beginning on this date. However, the AOJ must correct any duplicate ratings for his service-connected conditions and refer the case to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU prior to July 27, 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, as they do not result in physical loss of use of hands or feet, severe burn injury, vision impairment, or ALS.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is related to hazardous noise exposure during active duty. However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current evidence of a hearing disability meeting VA criteria.,The decision also notes that the appellant did not meet the requirements for a current hearing loss disability under VA's standards.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of a non-VA prescription medication from October 23, 2023 is denied as the treatment was not related to an emergency medical visit and did not meet the eligibility criteria under 38 U.S.C. § 1728.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed. He was granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a failure to obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral plantar fasciitis were denied as new and relevant evidence was not submitted to support these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss. The claim will be reviewed again with a new opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be related to her active duty service.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260, and no higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent) based on the average pure tone thresholds in both ears being within the range of level I hearing impairment.,Prior to February 14, 2020, the Veteran's dermatitis was rated at a noncompensable (0 percent) disability rating. Effective from February 14, 2020, it is rated as 30 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7806.,Prior to June 19, 2017, the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome was rated at a noncompensable (0 percent) disability rating. Effective from June 19, 2017, it is rated as 40 percent disabling under Diagnostic Codes 5215-8515.,Prior to June 19, 2017, the Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome was rated at a noncompensable (0 percent) disability rating. Effective from June 19, 2017, it is rated as 40 percent disabling under Diagnostic Codes 5215-8515.,Prior to June 19, 2017, the Veteran's left knee arthritis was rated at a noncompensable (0 percent) disability rating. Effective from August 30, 2012, it is rated as 40 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5260.,Prior to June 19, 2017, the Veteran's right knee arthritis was rated at a noncompensable (0 percent) disability rating. Effective from August 30, 2012, it is rated as 40 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5260.,The Veteran's arthroscopic scars in the left knee were granted service connection effective from December 9, 2008, and no earlier date has been established.,All other issues have been denied.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board has determined that there is a need to verify if the Veteran raised this issue in June 1980, and to obtain any VA records from prior to June 17, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for TDIU and DEA benefits due to service-connected disabilities, as there is a duty-to-assist error regarding a private vocational opinion submitted in February 2014. The Veteran's entitlement to an extra-schedular TDIU prior to March 1, 2011, will be referred to the Director of Compensation for consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left ankle condition were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis, cervical spine condition, and sciatic nerve condition were also denied as the evidence does not support a connection to service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the requirements for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 or service connection for cause of death.