Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the December 2022 remand directives and has ordered further development of the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate or incomplete opinions in previous VA examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is granted with an effective date of February 19, 2006. The rating reduction for Hodgkin's lymphoma from 40 percent to noncompensable is upheld. An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and has been granted.,The Veteran's respiratory condition, including shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain (claimed as related to asbestos), is related to his military service and remains pending for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the issues by the Veteran. The remaining issues are remanded and will be addressed further.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD and hearing loss have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is persuasive evidence linking his hearing issues to in-service noise trauma.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and denied service connection for prostate disorder, sleep apnea, skin condition (dermatitis), diverticulosis, and hearing loss.,For the remaining issues, the appeal is REMANDED.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted, but service connection for right shoulder disability and left shoulder disability (secondary to right shoulder) are denied.,The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service, while his right shoulder disability was not related to service. The left shoulder disability is also not linked to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 50 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder is granted. The claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is also granted.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (BLE) and (BUE). The claim for left ear hearing loss was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,New and material evidence has been presented to reopen claims for psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression; asthma. These claims are granted.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete medical examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further action and consideration of extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted.,Claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and pancreatitis have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a hernia due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service.,The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and right shoulder disability for additional development.

The Board has remanded two issues: the first regarding a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, and the second regarding a rating in excess of 20 percent for fractured coccyx with sacrococcygeal dislocation. The Veteran is to be provided an opportunity for VA examination on both issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable during the appeal period, and his claim for a higher rating is denied.