Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted on a presumptive basis due to continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of multiple conditions, including psychiatric disorders and hearing loss. The Board dismissed the appeals as a result.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right-hand disability, an eye condition, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no new and relevant evidence received since the prior decisions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has also been denied as there is no new and relevant evidence received since the prior decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a current disability under VA standards.,For the low back disorder, big toe disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (mood disorder), the case is remanded as there are issues with service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service discharge and no causal relationship between active service and the condition.

The Board has denied service connection for a left hand disability, right ear hearing loss, and several other conditions. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have also been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for service connection, while his tinnitus is found to be related to in-service noise exposure and granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone precludes him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation due to its impact on his mental abilities, including anger outbursts, suspiciousness, and difficulty regulating emotions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of STRs, inadequate medical opinions, and potential late onset hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to noise exposure during service and continues thereafter, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues related to service connection and evaluation of various conditions, including liver dysfunction, right hip condition, bilateral lower extremities, first degree AV block, patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis, status post right ankle fibula fracture, migraine headaches, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left knee osteoarthritis, and hypertension.

The Veteran's 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss was restored, effective September 29, 2020. The appeal is granted as the evidence did not demonstrate a sustained improvement in her service-connected bilateral hearing loss under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the relationship to military service.

The Veteran's claims for right and left ear hearing loss disabilities, Morton's neuroma of the left foot (status post-surgical removal), and obstructive sleep apnea have been remanded. The effective date for an increased rating of 20 percent for left shoulder strain disability is set at February 20, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder are related to an in-service stressor, his OSA is proximately due to his service-connected knee disability, but he does not have BHL for VA purposes.