Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic pain, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The effective date of service connection for PTSD is granted as October 9, 2015, but the rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. Further development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his audiometric findings do not warrant such an increase.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for hearing loss disabilities due to incomplete records, including missing service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran is also asked to provide information about any non-VA healthcare providers who have treated them.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was raised as part of the initial service connection claims for hearing loss, headaches, and IBS. The effective date is set at April 12, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not due to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information in the VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The examiner did not consider the converted audiometric data from ASA to ISO-ANSI standards, nor did they address the impact of post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is likely related to his service, as evidenced by exposure to noise during active duty and no significant treatment for hearing issues until after separation. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and new evidence received after the initial denial of service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claim is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA medical opinions provided were not adequate, and an additional examination is needed.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss, left and right dry eye syndrome, recurrent acute sinusitis, retina deposits (right eye), left foot plantar fasciitis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete audiometric testing results and missing non-VA treatment records.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and thus remanded these issues to the AOJ for further development and adjudication.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, which began in service and has continued since then.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show a link between the condition and military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cause of death and service connection for hypertension and arteriosclerosis of the coronary artery. Additional medical opinions are needed, and terminal hospital records must be obtained.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss in the left ear are granted service connection, while his right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not show a nexus to military service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was not received to readjudicate the previously denied claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral pes planus, depression, hypertension, hypothyroidism, insomnia, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, lumbago, right shoulder arthritis, sickle cell anemia, and sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the decision regarding service connection for various disabilities, and additional medical opinions are needed to address the correct legal standards. The Veteran's claims for right shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and bilateral hearing loss are being REMANDED.