Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the June 2017 and May 2023 VA audiological examinations did not reflect left ear hearing loss for VA rating purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's continuous symptoms since service are presumed due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his bilateral hearing loss and dizziness, including a determination on service connection for dizziness secondary to his hearing loss. The TDIU claim prior to August 21, 2020, is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of right knee arthritis due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to new evidence submitted.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was submitted and the Veteran did not waive AOJ review. The claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for consideration of this new evidence.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board granted a temporary increase to 20 percent from February 24, 2023, to November 14, 2023, and denied any higher ratings.

The Board has denied service connection for left wrist and left knee disabilities, but granted service connection for a back disability. The claims for left wrist and left knee disabilities are considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted (back) and others not (left wrist and left knee).,Service connection was established for the Veteran's back disability based on direct evidence of injury during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and inner ear/sinus problems.,A VA medical opinion is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any inner ear and sinus problems, including chronic sinusitis and status post septoplasty residuals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.,Service connection for depression is denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or treatment related to the claimed disability.,The Veteran's claims for right hand and left knee disabilities are denied due to lack of diagnosed conditions.,Left hip disability claim is also denied as there is no current diagnosis.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for spina bifida, thus the claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, right hip disability, and left hip disability due to insufficient evidence of a current disability. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service hazardous noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, Tietze syndrome, migraine headache, left knee, right hip, and bilateral foot disabilities (hyperhidrosis) have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a causal link to the Veteran's military service.,There is insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for thyroid cancer, including as due to exposure to radiation and/or herbicides, is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was evaluated and found to be Level II, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of a current diagnosis. The issues of service connection for gastrointestinal problems, fatigue, and skin rash have been remanded as the Veteran is presumed to have toxic exposure from burn pits during his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal before the decision was made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and hypertension due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current conditions on a direct basis, without relying on any presumptions or secondary theories.

The Board's January 4, 2024 decision did not address the Veteran's claim for a TDIU from June 9, 2017 through January 21, 2021. The case is now remanded to consider this issue.