Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no current disability meeting VA standards.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to June 3, 2019 and at a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not support an increased rating for this condition.,Service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, low back disability, cervical spine disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right knee disability, left knee condition, right hip disability, and left hip disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left wrist condition, and right knee disability due to incomplete records and the need for new evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, hair loss (male pattern baldness), sleep apnea, scar, cyst, and erectile dysfunction have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or service connection has not been established.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development related to his claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and an eye disorder.,Specifically, the Veteran needs a VA examination closer to his residence to address his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Additionally, his claim for service connection for presbyopia with photophobia is remanded as no medical opinion has addressed whether he currently suffers from blindness in both eyes.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, right knee contusion, ingrown toenails (bilateral great toe), and stomach disorder (hemorrhoids).,Left knee disorder remains denied due to lack of evidence linking current condition to in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection and initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury residuals, and facial scarring due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations.

The Veteran's current headache disability was first manifest during active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claims for increased ratings of lumbar strain, left ear hearing loss, left hip flexion, right hip flexion, limited adduction and rotation of the left hip before February 20, 2020, rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of adduction and rotation of the left hip since February 20, 2020, compensable ratings for right hip flexion and limited adduction and rotation of the right hip before February 20, 2020, and service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with previous remand directives.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, effective from March 17, 2016, until September 6, 2022. Prior to this date, the claim was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA hearing loss and tinnitus examination. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is being evaluated to determine if it was caused by military noise, including an IED explosion in 2008.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability at any point approximate to or after filing her October 2015 claim.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee, shin splints (left and right legs), and lower back disabilities. The VA examinations obtained in December 2022 are inadequate and require further clarification.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis and strain residuals are granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for cancer of the head and neck, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired vision disability are remanded.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder condition, and sleep apnea were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and unspecified trauma and stress related disorder) secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted. Claims for service connection for eczema, cyst, and left eye disorder were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the appeal is remanded for several issues, including increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as earlier effective dates. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but remanded the issue of right ear hearing loss due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of thorough examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as his auditory acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on audiometric testing results.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for bilateral hearing loss, left foot disability, or left knee disability. The claim for lumbosacral strain is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's service connection claims are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and insufficient evidence linking any claimed disabilities to service.