Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. Service connection for left ear hearing loss was not granted, while the Veteran's left foot post-surgical scars (4) and painful surgical scars were found to have been rated appropriately.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives, specifically regarding a VA examination for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.,New evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability, but further examination is needed.,A VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran has bilateral hearing loss or skin disabilities related to his military service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and left knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.,A VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus is dismissed. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no valid audiometric data showing a current disability.,Service connection for TBI and memory loss secondary to TBI were also denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depression) and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the RO failing to readjudicate the issue in an SSOC.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for Bell's Palsy is remanded because the VA examination did not provide adequate rationale and consideration of the Veteran's reports was insufficient.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash of the left upper extremity, to include pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151, is remanded due to inadequate analysis in the VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of her medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a stroke, and heart disability are granted. The claim for COPD is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act due to exposure in Southwest Asia. Claims for residuals of a stroke and heart disability remain pending as they may be granted on direct or other bases.

The appeal for service connection for vertigo and dizziness has been withdrawn. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss, fibromyalgia, memory impairment related to TBI, arthralgia (left shoulder), arthralgia (right shoulder), bilateral eye disability, and sinusitis. The case of service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a cervical spine disorder due to insufficient opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral foot disorder, dental trauma upper front teeth, residuals of a broken nose, low back disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence. Additional medical records are needed from Social Security Administration, and VA examinations are required for each issue.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for hearing loss and hypertension. The Veteran's PTSD, migraines, back disability (lumbosacral and thoracic spine), left lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy are all rated at their maximum levels. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and service connection issues are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence. The specific issues include rating adjustments, service connection determinations, and reopening of previously denied claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder ankylosis have not met the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with an average hearing acuity of Level I in both ears.,For the period prior to September 22, 2022, the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right shoulder was not productive of limitation of motion or other impairment. After that date, it is rated as 40 percent disabling and above 40 percent thereafter.,The left wrist disorder did not manifest during service, is not otherwise etiologically related to service, arthritis did not manifest within one year of discharge, and is not caused by the Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis. The acquired psychiatric disorder (Persistent Depressive Disorder) was also found not to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to December 18, 2018 and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was reduced to noncompensable, but the Board found that there had not been an actual improvement in his condition and restored the 10 percent rating effective January 1, 2019.