Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for vertigo, left ear hearing loss, and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran did not have diagnosed conditions of vertigo or left ear hearing loss at any time during the appeal period. Right ear hearing loss was found to be noncompensable.

The Veteran's hearing loss has not exceeded the required levels for a compensable rating.,Prior to May 11, 2023, the Veteran's headaches did not manifest in characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in 2 months.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to new evidence received after the final denial of his previous claim.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS is granted a 40 percent rating, effective from the date of the appeal. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as secondary to her service-connected major depressive disorder.,Her bilateral hearing loss is denied, with the most recent VA audiological evaluation showing normal hearing in both ears.

The Veteran's hearing loss in his left ear is rated as noncompensable, while he is granted a 10 percent rating for his bilateral lower extremity onychomycosis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service hazardous noise exposure.,Both conditions were found to be directly related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the procedural error in recognizing the Veteran's VA Form 10182 and placing his appeal on the AMA Hearing docket was a procedural error, and thus remanding the cases for further development under the Legacy system.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU from November 27, 2012, to February 24, 2021, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric condition and right hand injuries, rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment prior to August 31, 2015. From that date onwards, he was granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of all his service-connected conditions.

The Board has ordered a new medical opinion due to the lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives, particularly regarding noise exposure during service and the link between tinnitus and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for acne, seborrheic dermatitis, left ear hearing loss, and hypertension have been denied as new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU prior to July 23, 2021 due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Board has found that remand is required to obtain compliance with prior remand directives regarding Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has remanded the claim for a compensable rating prior to July 3, 2019 for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete audiometric data and outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were granted effective January 21, 2016.,No earlier effective dates are warranted as the earliest date of receipt of claim is considered the effective date.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion to determine the etiology of his erectile dysfunction and whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected testicular disorder and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of VA treatment records from 1978 onwards, as well as an incomplete examination. The Veteran is requested to provide these records and undergo further examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and bipolar disorder with depression, anxiety, and insomnia have been granted. The Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbosacral disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, right ear hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, left toes stress fracture, and right toes stress fracture are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is also remanded.

The appeal for TDIU from October 15, 2018 to January 31, 2019 is dismissed as moot. The remaining issues of increased evaluations for heart disability, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 6, 2022 and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied. The claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is also denied.