Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection due to continuity of symptoms since separation from service and the medical opinion supports a nexus between service exposure and current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA audiology opinion. The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being reviewed as there was in-service exposure to hazardous noise and current hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were inadequate for the claims of service connection for various knee, ankle, lumbar spine, sleep apnea, and hearing loss disabilities. The Veteran's conditions are being remanded to allow for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to service, but has remanded for further examination regarding his right ear hearing loss and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 50% rating effective February 9, 2023. Other claims are either denied or remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, uterine fibroid condition, and allergies due to unresolved issues.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions and any potential links to his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee meniscal tear have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to service or post-service treatment.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been denied due to lack of in-service onset and no link to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been denied because it did not manifest during or within one year after leaving service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation due to service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis, effective July 15, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has found new and material evidence to support reopening of his hearing loss and tinnitus claims. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), right hand/finger disability, left hand/finger disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and back disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran should be scheduled for a DRO hearing due to her request, and the appeal is being remanded accordingly.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder disability, excision of moles and cysts, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete evaluations and lack of compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and service connection on the issues of left mandible fracture, trigeminal neuralgia, bilateral hearing loss, and trachea disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the adequacy of the VA examination reports and a need for further development regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss was caused by service.

The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks alone has rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment, and he is granted TDIU. Effective February 28, 2022, the Veteran also meets the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, a back condition, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis have all been denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been granted a 70% rating from August 31, 2018 to February 10, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's OSA is not service-connected as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.,His bilateral hearing loss is also not service-connected, with no evidence of symptoms prior to the April 2018 private examination.

The Board has remanded the cases of hearing loss of the right ear and right knee condition due to insufficient evidence and incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after obtaining additional information and a new examination if necessary.