Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is granted. The Veteran's ulnar nerve neuropathy from shell fragment wound to the left minor forearm, retained metal fragment in left femur muscle group XIV, and scars are all rated as noncompensable under their respective diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, due to a duty to assist error in obtaining relevant private treatment records from C.D., the private Hearing Instrument Specialist.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating for various disabilities, including right shoulder, left shoulder, bilateral hearing loss, and photophobia of the eyes, have been dismissed due to a grant of service connection for both shoulders in November 2023. The appeal for residuals of a perforated eardrum is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for tinnitus due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion in the September 2020 VA Report.

Service connection for PTSD has been granted.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are granted service connection. The Veteran's left upper eyelid scar is granted a separate 10 percent rating, but the higher rating for the same condition remains denied.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as service-connected. The claims for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and a right hip disability are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied. The claims for service connection for a sleep disability and a right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of the May 31, 2019 rating decision for an increased rating for right ear hearing loss has been withdrawn by his representative.

The claims of service connection for back, skin, and bilateral hearing loss disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for tinnitus is dismissed as withdrawn. The appeal for a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports reopening these previously denied claims. The claim for sleep apnea is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that would support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for depression to include anxiety, stress and insomnia have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board has determined that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the audiometric test results provided.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since his military service. The conditions are presumed to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his pending appeals, including the ones for left ankle disability and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, entitlement to a TDIU, and entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU was denied.