Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but granted service connection for peripheral artery disease in the left leg.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, shoulder condition, and earaches due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives. The issues are related as they may significantly impact each other.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, pulmonary embolism, anemia, helicobacter pylori infection, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to secondary to PTSD. The other issues remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted based on the PACT Act, effective August 10, 2022. The Veteran also received Individual Unemployability benefits as of March 7, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the case for further development regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, and right ear hearing loss secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II due to incomplete development. The Veteran is advised to attend the scheduled examinations or provide a valid explanation if unable to do so.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims have been denied as there is no evidence of current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity claims are remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development and examination. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records, complete forms, and undergo examinations related to his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating. The claims for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, HTN, AFib, and foot disabilities are all remanded due to potential service connection under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors, including failure to provide adequate reasons and bases for its decision, obtain relevant medical records, and ensure compliance with Bryant v. Shinseki.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastrointestinal disorder (viral gastroenteritis), and arthritis of the fingers, hands, arms, legs, and gout due to additional development being needed.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the condition and military service.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The neck condition, left upper extremity nerve condition, and right upper extremity nerve condition claims are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew all claims for service connection and higher ratings, including those for PTSD, osteoarthritis of the shoulder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, prostate disorder, and hypertension. The appeal is dismissed.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any complaints, treatment, or diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Post-service medical records also lack evidence of these conditions.,There is no medical evidence linking the Veteran's blurred vision to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 6, 2023, and a rating in excess of 30 percent since that date has been denied by the Board.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 28, 2022, and since that date remain denied as his disability does not warrant a higher evaluation based on the current VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.