Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, including right and left foot disorders, bronchial asthma, knee, hip, shoulder, or neck DJD, or cervical spondylosis. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury, disease, or symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability in his right ear, which would be required to establish entitlement.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The Board has remanded the remaining issues including rating increases and TDIU determination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to address the issues of service connection and rating for various conditions, including liver disability, respiratory disability, cardiac condition, GERD, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and inadequate opinions regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Another VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the need for additional development of audiometric testing records.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, initial compensable rating for right little finger disability, and entitlement to service connection for low back disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis meeting VA criteria. For his right little finger disability, a noncompensable rating remains appropriate due to the lack of limitation of motion or ankylosis. Service connection for low back disability is also remanded.

The appeal for service connection for left eye condition is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, and the case is remanded for further action on chronic nonsuppurative otitis media with eustachian tube dysfunction. The TDIU issue is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his inability to report for VA examinations and failure to provide prison medical records. The Veteran is required to submit or authorize VA to obtain these records, and he must be scheduled for VA examinations regarding his bilateral shoulder, foot, back, hearing loss, and gastrointestinal disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's ringing in his ears began during active duty and is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service-connected. The issues of compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and bilateral flat feet are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and headaches due to incomplete or inadequate examination reports. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate January 2023 VA examination and February 2023 addendum medical opinions. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is being referred for further development, including obtaining an additional medical opinion that accounts for the April 2021 audiogram results.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, TMJ dysfunction, MDD, and tinnitus have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation of bilateral hearing loss prior to August 18, 2021 was denied. From August 18, 2021 onwards, the Veteran is granted a 10% evaluation.

Service connection is granted for allergic rhinitis and bilateral tinnitus, but denied for hearing loss disability.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease remains under review due to potential toxic exposure.

The reduction of the 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss was proper, but a compensable rating since May 1, 2016 and TDIU prior to April 28, 2023 were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis was dismissed as there is no remaining case or controversy.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because the evidence did not show that the condition manifested to a compensable level in service or within one year of separation and is not otherwise related to an event or injury in service.

The Veteran's claims for right shoulder and foot disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss, were denied effective June 21, 2018.,Claims for left hip strain (limitation of adduction, abduction and rotation) and limitation of flexion were granted effective May 24, 2018.