Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to new evidence indicating that his hearing loss may have worsened since his last VA examination. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records from the Coast Guard and Branch Health Clinic, and schedule a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability at VA standards.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to potential errors in adjudication.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability as defined by VA law.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear mixed hearing loss and left ear sensorineural hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no medical nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's PTSD, left hip disability, and hearing loss. The specific conditions remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current evidence of a disability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the functional effects are already contemplated by the rating criteria.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection. The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and insomnia is granted a rating of 70 percent, but denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been rated at 80% combined, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was denied. Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease due to exposure to herbicide agents during active military service at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability is at issue, as it may impact his claim for tinnitus.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable due to the presence of a margin of error in audiometric testing.,The Veteran's radiculopathy and back conditions are remanded for additional examination to address flare-ups, functional impairment during flare-ups, and whether they meet the criteria for ankylosis.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain a July 2020 audiogram and any updated medical records since September 2023.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination for corneal scar of the right eye. The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable disability ratings remain pending.

The Board denied service connection for tinea pedis, bilateral hearing loss, and CTS of the right wrist due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral shin splints is denied.,Service connection for plantar fascitis or a bilateral foot condition is remanded.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded.,Service connection for joint pain in the elbows is remanded.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for service connection for Meniere's disease and bilateral hearing loss. The Board has dismissed these claims as the appellant has withdrawn them.