Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as there is no current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's left ankle disability claim is denied as the evidence does not show marked limitation of motion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be reviewed again with a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that there are incomplete service treatment records and a need for clarification of the Veteran's periods of active duty, inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), and active duty for training (ACDUTRA). As such, these issues are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss have been rated based on the schedular criteria, with no higher rating available.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has not met the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.,There is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for right ear hearing loss due to exposure during military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for history of kidney stones, voiding dysfunction (bladder obstruction), edema fluid in legs, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence establishing a direct relationship between these conditions and active service. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is not relevant as none of the claimed disabilities are associated with such presumptive diseases.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the criteria for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under section 1318 were also not met.

The Veteran's back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea were not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The evidence does not establish continuity of symptomatology for these conditions.,The Veteran's hand or finger disability was not related to his service.

Service connection is granted for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and brachial neuralgia.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's vertigo condition.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right ankle disability and service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The Board found no evidence of aggravation by service for his preexisting knee and shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied. The claim for an increased disability rating higher than 10 percent for right total knee arthroscopy prior to December 1, 2020 is also denied. However, a separate disability rating of 10 percent for right knee instability prior to December 1, 2020 is granted.

Service connection granted for acquired psychiatric disorder (other specified trauma and stressor related disorder) and depression.,Effective dates denied for right hamstring muscle condition, right calf muscle injury, bilateral hearing loss, left calf muscle injury, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for multiple sebaceous and pilonidal cysts, lower back disability (including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine), myalgia (including as secondary to a lower back disability), and bilateral hearing loss due to additional evidence being developed by VA. The PACT Act may also require further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to include obtaining VA and private chiropractor treatment records, scheduling a VA examination for headaches, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and rhinitis have been withdrawn. Service connection has been granted for bilateral hearing loss and reopened for rhinitis (to include vasomotor rhinitis and/or allergic rhinitis).

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C due to additional evidence being added to the record. The Veteran's former representative withdrew from representation, so the case will be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The decision is based on medical opinions provided by private physicians who concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were caused or aggravated by noise exposure during his active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current condition did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for DIC benefits based on service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding that his service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death.