Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, but the decision is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's appeal for tinnitus was dismissed. His claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and his claims for left and right foot disorders were remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left hip injury, right hip disability, gallbladder disability, and sleep apnea due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for a current disability. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating in either case, and remanded one of his issues regarding service connection for headaches secondary to hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Veteran failed to appear for scheduled VA examinations, which were necessary to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran also withdrew his appeal regarding a higher rating for tinnitus at his Board hearing.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss disability due to lack of evidence showing a current disability. The claims for left ear hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded as the VA examination was inadequate.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a compensable rating for hypertension as moot due to concurrent adjudication and granting of the rating. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, which have rendered him unemployable. SMC for aid and attendance is also granted due to the Veteran's need for substantial assistance from his husband.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and is remanding the claims of entitlement to service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the evidence does not show current hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected hypertension has been denied as his blood pressure readings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that his appeal for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected bilateral hearing loss warranted a compensable rating.,The Board found that the Veteran's right and left shoulder tendonitis, and right and left knee osteoarthritis are related to service, including the March 2009 fall during military training.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical evidence regarding their relationship to military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service stressors will be considered during the examination process.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's testimony of onset during service and continuing ever since is credible. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current diagnosis by VA standards.

The appellant has withdrawn all appeals related to various conditions, including scar from fibular fracture repair and right knee strain. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, which is the highest available rating under the applicable VA schedule.,The Veteran's prostatitis with impotency and urinary incontinence is currently rated as 40 percent disabling. The Veteran seeks a higher rating for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss due to duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been granted service connection, but the VA determined that it does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for hearing loss or disability of the cervical spine, and denied all other claims.