Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been presented to warrant readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for scarring from multiple mole removal, tinnitus, and a bilateral foot disability.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that he did not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC under sections 1114(o), (k), and (p) of the U.S. Code was denied as he does not meet the criteria for these provisions due to his hearing loss rating, which is at 80 percent, and lack of service-connected blindness or visual impairment.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not granted a compensable rating.,For the period from March 23, 2017, to April 27, 2018, the Veteran received a maximum schedular rating for IBS under Diagnostic Code 7319. For the period since April 27, 2018, the Veteran's IBS has been manifested by moderate symptomatology with frequent episodes of bowel disturbance.,The Veteran's sinusitis did not meet criteria for an increased rating as it was not characterized by incapacitating episodes or a history of sinus surgery.,The calluses on the bilateral feet were not painful and collectively measured less than 144 sq. in., thus not meeting criteria for an increased rating.,Right and left knee disabilities have been manifested by findings of limitation of flexion resulting in additional functional loss, but did not meet criteria for a higher rating as they are already at the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5260.,The Veteran's right knee instability was granted an initial 30 percent rating and left knee instability was granted an initial 10 percent rating based on moderate recurrent lateral instability.,Radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been rated at 20 percent, consistent with moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,The Veteran's TMJ disability is related to a service-connected disability and thus granted service connection.,Crohn's Disease was not found to be incurred or aggravated during service.,Respiratory disability and sleep apnea were not found to be incurred or aggravated during service.,Right and left ankle disabilities were not shown in service and are not otherwise related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss is related to his noise exposure during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of adequate medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claim is based on presumed exposure, but further examination is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability, muscle pain, chest and ribs condition, and headaches are remanded for further examination and opinion.,Resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, her bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the last rating decision warrants readjudication of the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disabilities. The AOJ must now consider this new evidence in conjunction with the existing record to determine if service connection should be granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability as there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, and rhinitis, meet the schedular criteria for entitlement to individual unemployability.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss at a virtual Board of Veterans' Appeals hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as well as service connection for basal cell carcinoma residuals, are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to April 2, 2013. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and opinion due to an inadequate VA examination in December 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for depression, hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and tinnitus. The decision is based on the lack of evidence supporting these conditions during or within one year after active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be reconsidered with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 27, 2008. The Board has granted TDIU on both an extraschedular and schedular basis for the specified periods.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent prior to August 15, 2022, and denied for a higher rating thereafter.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 60 percent. The effective date of this rating is not earlier than February 7, 2023.