Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the benefit was already granted in full.,Service connection for high blood pressure is denied because there is no probative evidence linking it to active service, a period of inactive duty training (IDT), or an injury during a period of active duty for training (ADT).,The Veteran's claim for right eye vision loss due to welding exposure during his military service remains pending and must be remanded.,Service connection for the right knee disability is denied as there is no evidence linking it to active service, a period of inactive duty training (IDT), or an injury during a period of active duty for training (ADT).,The Veteran's claim for left knee disability remains pending and must be remanded.,Service connection for the lower lumbar back injury with multiple surgeries is denied as there is no evidence linking it to active service, a period of inactive duty training (IDT), or an injury during a period of active duty for training (ADT).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is causally linked to his in-service exposure to hazardous noise, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining claims are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary for the Veteran's back disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, neck disability, ankle disabilities, hearing loss, tinnitus, and headache disability due to potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right foot disability (pes planus), and left foot disability (pes planus) have been granted. The claim for service connection for cervical spine disability is remanded.

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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and TDIU. The case is now back with the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as well as bilateral hearing loss are granted. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee condition(s), left knee condition(s), and neck instability. The claims are remanded for further development including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the sleep apnea issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability of the left ear, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not render him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 14, 2016. The Board denied the claim for a TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board denied his request for a TDIU due to his service-connected conditions and psychiatric symptoms preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the combined disability rating and his inability to work due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for anxiety disorder, service connection for a low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened on April 13, 2015, and effective as of that date, he was granted service connection for PTSD, TBI, back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of fracture of tooth #10.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance, loss of use of feet and/or lower extremities, and whether his service-connected disabilities alone caused these issues. Additional VA treatment records are needed, as well as an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as 10 percent disabling since January 3, 2020. The appeal is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, and remanded his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance is also being remanded.

The Veteran's left wrist strain and right ankle sprain are not rated higher than 10 percent.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied, as the Veteran does not have a present hearing disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on file.,Service connection for right knee strain is remanded due to inadequate opinion from the 2014 VA examination.,Service connection for hemorrhoids is not addressed in this decision.