Hearing loss decisions — 2024

Your appeals for service connection on spondylolisthesis or segmental instability, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed as moot because the issues were already decided in a previous March 2024 Board decision.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for abnormal ECG with tachycardia / a heart disorder, anxiety disorder, and insomnia due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's service records from November 19, 1991, to May 1994 are needed, as well as post-service VA treatment records from 1995 through February 2009, and Social Security Administration disability application records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as the effective dates sought are not earlier than October 5, 2021.,For issues related to service connection, the earliest date of entitlement is considered to be October 5, 2021.

Your claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, but the ratings and effective dates are as decided in your November 2020 rating decision. The appeal is dismissed because the issues have been resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability, including valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, right bundle branch block and aortic root aneurism, is granted as due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for chronic kidney disease, gastrointestinal disability, low back disability, and left knee disability are also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to decide these issues at this time.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for left knee injury and bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence received after the September 2013 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the combined disability rating percentage requirements for consideration of a TDIU prior to August 14, 2020. The case is remanded for further evaluation and referral to the VA Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for insomnia and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, depression, Parkinson's with dementia, lower back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right hip and left hip disabilities, and right foot and left foot disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for sinusitis is denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, effective September 16, 2021, is granted. The case is remanded for further consideration of the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to revise a January 2003 rating decision assigning a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The decision found no CUE in the original decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, left knee disability, and right knee disability have been remanded by the Board.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was reduced from 10 percent to noncompensable (0 percent) effective March 1, 2021. The Board has restored the 10 percent rating as it found that there is no evidence of improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, but he received a separate 10 percent rating for his associated vertigo as of February 24, 2020.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there were no prior claims received before October 3, 2023.,An initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied due to the current level of impairment not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.