Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU, but remanded the issue of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss due to scheduling issues and obtaining updated address information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to his failure to report for VA examinations. The issues include service connection and rating for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, skin disability, respiratory disorder, blurred vision, and memory loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and thoracolumbar spine disability other than the already service-connected lumbosacral strain due to inadequate examinations and opinions. The Veteran will need new VA examinations and opinions to determine the etiology of her conditions.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; hypertension/high blood pressure; heart condition; GERD; left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been reopened. The Board is remanding these issues due to the need for further development.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disability (shortness of breath) has also been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to address her service-connected hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss as he does not have a current diagnosis related to this condition. For his lumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder, additional VA examinations are needed to determine their current severity.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss and increased the disability rating for RLE sciatica, but remanded several other issues.,Insomnia was granted an initial 30 percent disability rating from January 17, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for migraines, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and vitamin deficiency have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric condition (to include PTSD) has been granted. The Board found that there is at least approximate balance of evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities and his in-service stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence meeting VA criteria for hearing loss, and the Veteran failed to report for necessary examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were chronic during service and continuous since service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be at worst Level II in both ears, which corresponds to a noncompensable (0%) rating. The Board denied the claim for a compensable rating.

The Board has vacated its decision denying a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and dismissed the claim due to the Veteran's opt-in into the Appeals Modernization Act system.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.,The Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee disability), left ankle sprain, and ingrown right great toenail are remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability or service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is also remanded as the opinion provided by the VA examiner was inadequate.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's headaches. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if his current hand/wrist disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and thus denied his claim of entitlement to service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, left ankle condition, dry eyes syndrome, and back condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Persistent Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder).