Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and tinnitus as well as the appeal for an increased rating for tinea pedis due to untimely filings.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and outstanding SSA records. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to December 12, 2023 is pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence and issues related to service connection, rating, and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid attendance/housebound status. Further development is needed to distinguish between service-connected conditions and non-service-connected conditions that affect the Veteran's ability to perform self-care functions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, so the appeals for these conditions are dismissed as there is no remaining issue to decide.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to October 26, 2020. Beginning October 26, 2020, the claim for TDIU is moot as he already has a 100% disability rating due to prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's prostate disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his hearing loss, back disability, TBI residuals, and neck disability. The Board finds that the current evidence does not provide sufficient information to determine if there has been a change in the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level II in the right ear and Level III in the left ear prior to June 29, 2021. The Board denied a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of the required current disability, defined by specific audiometric test results and speech recognition scores in 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but remanded the claim for tinnitus due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further development.

The Board has determined that additional relevant VA treatment records should be obtained and considered as part of the remand process. The Veteran is advised to provide any private or federal medical records in their possession.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, right hip disability, and left hip disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board denied an increased rating as his current hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the issue of service connection for a lung disorder is remanded due to lack of exposure documentation.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 22, 2023 was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a rating in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss from March 22, 2023 was also denied as there was no objective indication that his disability warranted such a rating.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 27, 2017 were denied as there was no evidence of a claim filed before that date.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus was not granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient development and examination of his knee disabilities, GERD, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and left ear hearing loss due to potential issues with medical evidence and need for further examination.