Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in October 2020 was inadequate and remanded for a new examination to consider whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss began during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and migraine headaches.

The appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to procedural defects in the claims processing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current hearing loss and military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and Parkinsonism at a Board hearing, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability ratings beyond what is currently assigned.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has also remanded for further examinations and opinions regarding the other claimed conditions.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his disability does not warrant a higher than 10 percent evaluation. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating due to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the appeal process.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the appellant's tinnitus and back disorder are service-connected, but his bilateral hearing loss is not. The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to a failure to obtain a medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, ankle sprain, hemorrhoids, foot and knee strains, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction, prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot wart, bilateral hearing loss, and impacted right ear have been denied. However, the claim for hypertension has been granted.,New evidence received includes VA treatment records and personal statements, which led to readjudication of the hypertension claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to include as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis has been remanded due to the need for an adequate addendum opinion.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and TBI and residuals.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and a higher rating for external hemorrhoids with pruritis ani. The Board has dismissed these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to preexisting bilateral hearing loss and low back pain syndrome, as there were issues with the validity of the 1969 audiogram and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has added new and relevant evidence to the record, including a private audiogram evaluation, which suggests the Veteran may have bilateral hearing loss. The claim is being remanded for further examination.