Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including a failure to provide an examination and opinion addressing the effects of the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune on his left-ear hearing loss. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination for this purpose.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the most probative evidence not persuasively supporting a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, as he does not have a loss of use of his feet, hands, vision impairment, burn injury, ALS, or ankylosis of knees or hips.

The Board has found that there is a duty-to-assist error in the decision on appeal and has ordered additional development to obtain missing service treatment and personnel records, including verifying periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA), and obtaining an addendum VA opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression is granted. The claims for left ear hearing loss and right foot disorder are denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for this condition. The GERD issue is remanded due to inadequate examination, and the TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the GERD evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability due to duty-to-assist errors and inadequate medical opinion.

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 current disability meeting VA criteria or a link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and remanded claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and back disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right foot condition, left foot condition, right-hand condition (nerve damage, tendonitis, neuropathy), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction for additional development of evidence.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss to obtain an addendum opinion considering specific medical literature.

The Board has remanded the case to the VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration of the Veteran's TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities prior to October 16, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran does not have a current disability in either ear.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound, as his service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a link to the Veteran's service or any service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support current disabilities of these conditions. For tinnitus specifically, the Board noted no evidence of onset within a year of separation from service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is granted as service-connected.,Left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,Right ear hearing loss is denied as not related to service.,Tinnitus remains at the maximum 10 percent disability rating.