Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disorders (including PTSD), bilateral cataracts, bilateral glaucoma, and hearing loss were denied. The Veteran's claim for stomach disability was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder other than unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress due to new evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his heart condition and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that his hearing acuity did not warrant a higher rating based on the audiometric test results.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected, and a compensable rating of 20 percent for his left ear hearing loss disability is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss with ear disease are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated noncompensable prior to January 24, 2020 and at a 60 percent rating from that date forward. The Board denied both the request for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, penile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is also remanded.

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

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was submitted for the claim of service connection for tinnitus, but not for the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as a result of his competent statements indicating onset during service.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss and a schedular disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The Veteran's service connection claims were based on direct evidence.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU from May 1, 2017 is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, but her tinnitus was incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service connection, while his right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are denied.,Service connection for the Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's timely filing of a VA Form 9, Appeal to the Board, in January 2021 was not properly considered due to an error by the AOJ in not mailing the March 2020 SOC to the Veteran's representative. As a result, the appeal is granted and the case will proceed with issuance of an SSOC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus first manifested during service and is presumed to have been incurred therein. The claims for hearing loss, frostbite (lower left and lower right), hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea are remanded due to a failure of the AOJ to obtain relevant records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and he is granted entitlement to a TDIU. The increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and right knee tendonitis are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while his claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of hypoalbuminemia, and residuals of persistent recurrent upper respiratory infection (recurrent episodes of shortness of breath). The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for surgical scars of the left wrist is also denied.