Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a dental condition (claimed as post oral cavity infection with tooth loss and replacement), and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, a recurrent stomach disability, and erectile dysfunction due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not rated higher than noncompensable.,Service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and left hip osteoarthritis has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is granted. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral hearing loss are denied.

The Board has decided the claims for bilateral hearing loss and frostbite of the left upper extremity, but due to new evidence added to the record since the last decision, the case is being sent back to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further review.

The Veteran is granted service connection for chronic rhinitis due to exposure to burn pits during service, effective August 10, 2022.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus as it began during service and continues since then.,Bilateral hearing loss is not currently diagnosed or present for VA purposes.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome claim is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for hearing loss.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee disability, gout, acid reflux (GERD), and sleep disorder (including sleep apnea and insomnia) as well as hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is not rated higher than noncompensable prior to June 17, 2019 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing right and left ear hearing loss was aggravated by service or incurred during service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

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

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hearing loss, eye disorders, head trauma, and psychiatric conditions. The claims for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, service connection for left ear hearing loss, low back disability, hernia and groin disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are all being reviewed due to new evidence or changes in the Veteran's condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma. However, right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability.,There is no persuasive evidence demonstrating a current diagnosis or manifestation of right ear hearing loss or tinnitus within the context of VA regulations.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, but remanded the issues of service connection for these conditions due to insufficient evidence in the November 2018 VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, back strain, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left foot pain, and sleep apnea. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and addressing theories of delayed-onset hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions and the need for additional evidence, including treatment records.