Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's TDIU is granted based on his service-connected PTSD, effective from August 20, 2019. The decision was made due to the Veteran's unemployability caused by PTSD symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder). The decision is pending further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no causal relationship between these conditions and his military service. The decision also dismissed the claim for an increased rating for chloracne.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of peripheral vestibular disorder with hearing loss, tinnitus, and oscillopsia associated with bilateral hearing loss due to a March 1990 rating decision on the grounds that there was no clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The Veteran's claim for dizziness as secondary to treatment received for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was not raised prior to the March 1990 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence that is relevant to the issues. The Board finds a need for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a neck condition, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to procedural errors in obtaining necessary medical records and providing adequate VA opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy (upper and lower extremities), erectile dysfunction, vestibular disability, skin condition, heart condition, and respiratory condition are remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.,The Veteran's claim for a bilateral kidney condition is remanded as it may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected, with a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,Service connection for thoracolumbar spine condition (lower back condition) is denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is characterized by numeric designation Level I, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The appeal for a compensable rating for her right ear hearing loss has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed as moot due to the grant of these conditions in a subsequent rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to noise exposure during his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was aggravated by service, warranting service connection on an aggravation basis. The left ear hearing loss issue requires further examination and evidence to determine its current severity.

The Board has decided that the service connection for left ear hearing loss should be remanded, as there are questions about the adequacy of the separation audiogram and the VA examiner's opinion.

The Board finds that the Veteran's June 2017 VA Form 9 substantive appeal was timely filed, and as a result, the underlying claims under the legacy system must be reinstated. The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues, including service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating for laceration scar, left forearm. The TDIU claim is also affected by these unresolved issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was submitted after the previous denial of service connection for hearing loss, thus remanding the case for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy limits his ability to perform physical tasks required for sedentary employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no new and relevant evidence to support the claims.

The Veteran's cause of death, dementia, is found to be related to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of benefits for the cause of death.