Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 1, 2015.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since May 31, 2016. The claim for service connection for a stroke and its secondary conditions have been remanded due to new evidence suggesting the stroke may be related to uncontrolled hypertension during the decade prior to his stroke.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for hypertension (HTN) as the appellant failed to report for scheduled VA examinations.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type 2 (DM II), was denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury and no causal relationship between DM II and service-connected HTN.,The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the appellant did not meet the criteria for a current disability under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, right foot disability, sinusitis, and right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for left and right ankle disabilities are both denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss. The Veteran's pulmonary nodule of the lungs are not shown to have been incurred in service or the result of an in-service disease or injury. Service connection is remanded for hearing loss, pulmonary nodule of the lungs, and sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically addressing whether it is related to in-service noise exposure with delayed onset.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, GERD, left leg shin splint, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and respiratory condition. The Veteran is presumed to have toxic exposure in service due to his Persian Gulf War service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), diverticulosis, diseases of the nail on his left foot, hemorrhoids, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The case is remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA audiometric records. The issues of service connection for a skin condition, lower back condition, and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss are all pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, efforts should be made to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors related to PTSD, confirm the existence of service treatment records (STRs) regarding his right knee injury, and obtain updated medical opinions on these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss based on a theory other than presumptive service connection under the PACT Act. The remaining issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and onychomycosis, as well as TDIU are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip status-post replacement and remanded the issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, and a vision disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and TBI, along with other service-connected conditions, are now rated at 100% effective August 29, 2018. A 50% rating is granted for tension headaches effective from the same date. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted starting from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left leg and foot conditions, neck disability, sinus condition (sinusitis), and right ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and the retrieval of private treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not show a link between current hearing loss and military noise exposure, despite in-service audiometric testing showing no significant hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus on an aggravation basis. The decision is based on the Veteran's reports of acoustic trauma during Air National Guard service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and military service.,The Board also remanded the issues regarding higher ratings for right and left knee disabilities and for left knee scars.