Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for glaucoma and temporomandibular joint dysfunction have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these claims during a hearing.,New evidence has reopened previously denied claims for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, COPD, chronic renal insufficiency, hypertension, prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The hypertension claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was restored to 20 percent effective June 1, 2020. The initial compensable ratings for hypertension and hearing loss were denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, and will provide further examination and opinion regarding the nature and cause of any obstructive sleep apnea and left ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there is no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between his military service and his claimed condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is dismissed as the benefit has already been granted. The Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and his claims for bilateral knee disabilities and back disability are remanded due to inadequate pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while his claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and right wrist strain were not found to have onset during service or be related to in-service noise exposure or a fall, respectively. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but granted the claim for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, and right knee sprain are granted. The effective date of the award is not specified.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of current disability in accordance with VA standards.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a perforated eardrum, and PTSD were denied as the Veteran failed to report for a VA examination without good cause. The appeals for these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the VA examination conducted in September 2020. The Veteran's lay contentions must be considered and weighed in making the determination.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the case is not being reactivated until a substitution determination is made by the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since July 8, 2013.,Effective date of July 8, 2013 for TDIU granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were dismissed because the appeal was not timely filed under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active service. However, it denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, likely preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.