Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection as they were likely caused by noise exposure during service, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Other Specified Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorder with Bipolar Disorder) is also granted based on the Veteran's reported stressor of witnessing a plane crash at Pope Air Force Base.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a thoracolumbar spine condition due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for a back disorder, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, chronic sinus infections, right shoulder disorder, and squamous cell carcinoma.,PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 9, 2019 was denied as the evidence did not demonstrate more than Level I hearing acuity in both ears.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right ruptured tympanic membrane and right ear hearing loss disability due to a withdrawal by the Veteran during his March 2024 Board Hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been remanded due to the submission of new evidence.,Claims for effective dates earlier than March 17, 2023, for CAD, ED, and tinnitus have been denied as there was no prior intent to file a claim before that date.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is not being readjudicated due to the law change allowing VA to grant this claim on August 10, 2022.,SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ has been denied as it was awarded based on the effective date for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge is unclear and remands for further action to obtain relevant personnel records, including those related to his request for discharge upgrade.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims were not supported by current medical evidence.,There is no evidence of current diagnoses or symptoms related to the conditions in question.

The Board has remanded several issues for further review, including increased evaluations for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and wrist disabilities. The Veteran's appeal is pending.

The claim for service connection for a lower back disorder is readjudicated due to new and relevant evidence received.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.,Tinnitus has been granted as likely related to in-service noise exposure, but the Veteran's bilateral eye disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder claims require further examination and opinion.

Your appeal for service connection for hearing loss has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew their appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left wrist sprain with de Quervain's syndrome and degenerative arthritis, as well as his left ankle traumatic arthritis. The decision on compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is etiologically related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2014. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no current disability of these conditions as defined by VA standards. The Board also found that the evidence does not support a finding that either condition began during or within one year following service or was related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's athlete's foot and pityriasis versicolor were granted service connection. Service connection for chloracne, bilateral hearing loss, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, right shoulder disability, heart disability, mycosis fungoides, and scars are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a VA examination and additional medical opinions due to deficiencies in the previous negative nexus opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,A 100 percent initial rating for service-connected pancreatic cancer is granted.