Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service. The weight of the medical evidence does not support a link between his in-service noise exposure and his post-service hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was initially rated as noncompensable prior to June 3, 2022, and increased to 30 percent effective June 3, 2022.,For the lumbar spine disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 25, 2022 was denied. Effective May 25, 2022, a rating in excess of 40 percent is also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, while his lichen simplex chronicus is granted a noncompensable initial rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether current migraines are related to service, and thus grants service connection on a direct basis.

The Veteran's hypertension, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection. However, the initial compensable rating for hypertension has been denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a sinus disorder is denied due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for these conditions during or approximate to the appeal period.,The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have begun during service and has been continuous since then, granting service connection. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is also granted.,Service connection for bilateral eye disorder, sleep disorder (including insomnia and sleep apnea), headache disorder, thyroid disorder, and respiratory disorder remains pending as remanded by the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of a disability for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a back disorder. The claims for service connection for other conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal by the appellant's representative.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating, as his symptoms were consistent with a 70% disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability claims are denied. The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development, including obtaining retrospective medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's left knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or since separation from active duty. The Board also found that the current hearing loss did not manifest until approximately 17 years after separation.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, as there is a reasonable possibility that he may be unemployable by reason of his service-connected conditions. The TDIU issue will now be referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral redness of the eyes, bilateral vision loss, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus have been dismissed due to a withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The reduction of the 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss was upheld, but restoration of the 10% rating is denied. The claim for an increased rating for back disability prior to October 8, 2019 is denied. A 20% rating is granted effective October 8, 2019, and a higher rating is denied from that date onward.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his symptoms and medical history.

The Board has decided that service connection for bilateral knees and hearing loss is denied. The case is being remanded to provide a new examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disability, and back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain missing service treatment records and VA treatment records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a current disability. Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on the Veteran's credible testimony that he experienced symptoms during service and they have persisted since.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not been shown to warrant a compensable rating prior to October 27, 2023, or a rating in excess of 10 percent on and thereafter.