Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran does not have service-connected right ear hearing loss. The evidence shows that his current right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis due to outstanding private treatment records and a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran is seeking initial compensable ratings for left ear hearing loss, which are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease has been dismissed as the condition was previously granted. The issue of a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss is denied, and the issue of tinnitus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development of evidence, particularly regarding National Guard service and post-service medical records. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is denied as it does not meet VA standards for a disability. The right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ear injury claims are also remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied, and his initial rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome and radiculopathy was granted at a 40% level. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection due to right ear hearing loss as defined by VA regulations. His right carpal tunnel syndrome and radiculopathy are currently rated at 40%.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for treatment purposes only under 38 USC chapter 17, for residuals of a head injury, a headache disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The appellant is incarcerated at Pontiac Correctional Center in Illinois.

The Veteran's combined evaluation for compensation was correctly calculated at 40 percent from November 15, 2020. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal concerning several service connection issues, including for cervical condition, right lower extremity condition, left lower extremity condition, left ankle condition, left plantar fasciitis, lumbar spine back condition, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The examiner is asked to provide an addendum opinion on whether the hearing loss is related to service, considering the conceded noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left ear hearing loss due to a lack of an adequate nexus opinion. The Veteran's MOS as Field Artillery operator and intelligence assistant is considered to have been exposed to hazardous noise during service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for heart disease, hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to his failure to report for VA examinations. The Board is instructing the AOJ to provide the Veteran with new VA examinations at his current address in Seattle, Washington.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on four conditions (hearing loss, hypertension, other specified depressive disorder with substance use disorder, and PTSD due to military sexual trauma) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, limitation of motion of the left ankle, limitation of motion of the right ankle, and limitation of motion of the left arm were denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service.,There are no indications that any of the claimed conditions have a direct link to service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have BHL, his lumbar DDD is not manifested by ankylosis or forward flexion at 60 degrees or less, his right lower extremity radiculopathy does not meet criteria for a higher rating, his right hip strain does not meet criteria for a higher rating, and his tinnitus does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's audiometric results did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's SMC was granted at intermediate rates for specific periods and maximum rate after August 23, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is required to obtain complete service personnel records and medical treatment records for INACDUTRA periods. A new opinion on etiology is needed for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder.