Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as defined by VA regulations.,The Veteran's rhinitis is rated at the maximum allowed and no additional manifestations are present, thus no higher rating can be granted.,The Veteran's arthritis of the right fifth digit has no manifestations not contemplated by the rating criteria.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction, residuals of a head injury, GERD, and cervical spine disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen service connection claims for these conditions.,The Veteran's GERD is not related to his service, including head injuries sustained during service.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is also remanded as there are no discussions of lifting and injuries related to the Veteran's duties in service.

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

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss and a higher rating for tinnitus were denied as there is no legal basis to award such benefits.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his left ear hearing loss, incision scar posterior neck, and cervical spine disability are denied. The claim for service connection for TBI is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss during a Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disability, radiculopathy, knee and foot disabilities, and hearing loss/tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 29, 2022. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for compensable ratings for erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinea pedis of the feet, and hypertension have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish a link between his bilateral hearing loss and active duty, thus remanding for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims due to unresolved issues and further review is needed. The Veteran's PTSD, mastoiditis with hearing loss, vertigo, and hypertension are all rated based on their current manifestations.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.,Both a VA examiner and a private medical provider have provided opinions supporting the Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus being related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus had onset in service and continued since service, granted service connection.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability at any time during the appeal period, denied service connection.,Left leg shin splints were not diagnosed during or close to service, denied service connection.,Right leg shin splints were not diagnosed during or close to service, denied service connection.,Service connection granted for left flatfoot due to pre-existing condition aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board found that the January 2022 VA examination was adequate and that the severity of his hearing loss was adequately assessed.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating more than 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. There is no legal basis to award a higher schedular rating, or separate ratings for each ear.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Board found that the current schedular ratings adequately reflect the Veteran's disability picture, and there is no evidence of exceptional or unusual factors warranting an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate consideration of all relevant information, specifically the Veteran's reports of in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and its relationship to service, as well as any potential secondary effect on his tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a skin condition other than tinea pedis, tinnitus, left groin strain, right hip condition, and right knee condition are all denied as there is no evidence of the claimed conditions during or after service.,Specifically, the Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of these conditions. The claims for tinnitus, left groin strain, and right hip condition were remanded due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. The Board also denied service connection for kidney stone operation residuals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no diagnosis of a disability meeting VA criteria.