Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a VA audiological evaluation.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 because the Veteran was not rated as totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities for a period of at least 10 years immediately preceding his death, and he was not in receipt of a total rating based on individual unemployability.

DIC and survivor's pension benefits are denied as the Veteran did not have qualifying service in the USAFFE, which is not eligible for nonservice-connected pension (including survivor's pension) benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus as diagnosed disabilities, and thus cannot be granted service connection for these conditions.,For RUE CTS and LUE CTS, the claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his service, specifically his exposure to hazardous noise during his active duty. After considering all evidence and opinions provided, the Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is due to his service, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board granted a 100 percent rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his private audiometric test results showed profound hearing loss and recommending binaural amplification. The decision is based on the evidence of record, resolving in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right hip condition is granted as service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of bilateral hip pain and credible statements supporting his claim.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied due to lack of diagnosed disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are service-connected, but the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, reoccurring pilonidal cyst, and skin disability due to potential in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further examination and evidence, specifically regarding the Veteran's claim of bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from engaging in gainful employment prior to May 2016, and therefore TDIU on an extraschedular basis is denied.

The Veteran's COPD, lung cancer, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, gastroenteritis, rubella, and vertigo, dizziness, and lightheadedness are all remanded for further evaluation due to the need for medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, including IBS, as well as his other issues. The remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed gastrointestinal condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as well as the ratings for right and left knee conditions due to deficiencies in the examination reports used to make initial decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and the need for additional development, including obtaining hearing test history from the Veteran's employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and lower back condition. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss due to aggravation during active duty. The case of flat feet is remanded as the Veteran did not undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and psychiatric disability (PTSD) have been granted. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal request. GERD and sleep disability issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The request to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury is denied. The claim of entitlement to service connection for Right Ear Hearing Loss is remanded.