Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's death was caused by a toxic level of medication, and the Board is remanding to obtain medical records and provide an opinion on whether his service-connected disabilities or medications contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions that did not consider the Veteran's military occupational specialty as a cannoneer, which had a high probability of noise exposure. The VA is required to obtain a new medical opinion from an appropriate examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss disability due to the absence of a current disability as defined by VA regulation. The remaining issues are being remanded for additional development and readjudication.

Service connection for hearing loss is granted. Effective November 23, 2021, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted. The claim of an increased rating for PTSD and the TDIU prior to November 23, 2021, are REMANDED.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations. The appeals for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, tongue cancer, acoustic neuroma, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) will be addressed further.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, and his right knee disability is due to aggravation of a pre-existing injury. Service connection for these conditions is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is established as they are found to be directly related to service. The Veteran's right knee disability is also granted as it was aggravated by in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for a compensable evaluation were not met at any time during the periods of appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases of hearing loss and tinnitus for further action due to a failure in the duty to assist.

The Veteran's claims for left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, ovarian cyst complications (claimed as infertility), acquired psychiatric disorder, asthma, and right knee disability have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims by her representative.

The Board has granted service connection for a right bicep disability. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and back disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as zero percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's scars are currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7804 due to pain. The Board remanded for further clarification on the ratings assigned.,The Veteran's metatarsalgia is rated at 10 percent prior to November 26, 2019, and denied a higher rating thereafter.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a chronic lower back condition is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding treatment records for the issue of increased evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran needs to provide consent for obtaining any missing VA and/or private treatment records.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is found to be etiologically related to her active service. The Board grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee condition before April 17, 2019, and residuals of a right total knee replacement are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The decision found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss to his military service, and also noted that the Veteran did not complete the necessary VA Form 21-8940 regarding TDIU. As a result, the Board denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ED was granted. The claims for diabetes mellitus type II, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss are remanded.

Prior to March 29, 2019, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 30 percent.,From March 29, 2019 to May 27, 2022, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 50 percent.,Starting from May 27, 2022, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current disabilities. The case is being returned for further development.