Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left ankle strains, right shoulder impingement syndrome, and right ear hearing loss as these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and lower extremity neuropathy due to incomplete VA treatment records and a need for additional examination and opinion regarding service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral tinnitus disability and dismissed the other issues without prejudice.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's recreational hunting is noted as a potential contributing factor, but not addressed in detail.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for a right digit disability. The claims of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions or their relationship to service. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the January 2024 Rating Decision is dismissed as the appellant withdrew his intent to contest the decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted effective November 3, 2020. Service connection for RLE radiculopathy and right shoulder tendonitis are also granted on a secondary basis to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the former being presumed due to in-service noise exposure and the latter presumptively related to acoustic trauma during service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The gastrointestinal disorder claim is remanded for further evaluation and determination of its relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and various musculoskeletal conditions, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current disabilities. The Veteran is requested to provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various disorders, including left knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, left hip disorder, left ankle disorder, headache disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and upper extremity radiculopathy. The Board has determined that these claims are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, CTS, ankle disorders, elbow disorders, hip disorders, knee disorders, and neck disorders. These claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. Tinnitus was found to be related to service, while no current disability of right ear hearing loss was established.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus with vertigo due to a duty-to-assist error. The AOJ is required to obtain addendum opinions addressing theories of secondary service connection and obesity as intermediate steps.

The Veteran's motion to revise the July 2003 Rating Decision is granted and he is entitled to service connection for hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for an award of SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to January 22, 2021 for a 10 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss from appellate status.