Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The claim for an increased rating of PTSD was also granted, with a rating of 70 percent effective as of July 31, 2020.

The Board has decided that the claims for service connection and compensation ratings need to be reconsidered due to new evidence added to the record.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and scarring are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the left ear and tinnitus. The claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder(s) are also being remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's death has resulted in the dismissal of all claims due to lack of jurisdiction, as the Board does not have authority to adjudicate posthumous appeals.

The Veteran's claims for hernia, psychiatric disability (anxiety and depression), low back condition, head injury residuals, migraine headaches, left knee condition, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,An effective date earlier than January 10, 2017, is denied for tinnitus.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss service connection as they were not properly appealed, resulting in finality of the April 2017 rating decision.

The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened, and the Board has remanded this issue. The initial rating for jaw fracture with TMJ is granted at 40 percent. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to substantially comply with a directive for additional development, including obtaining a new medical examination and opinion. The Veteran's right ear disability is being considered in light of potential radiation exposure during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and the need for clarification on the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss on the basis of aggravation of a pre-existing disability, but has remanded to determine if it worsened beyond its natural progression by other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable prior to November 08, 2021, and at 30 percent since that date. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) remains in dispute.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for both bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disability are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and its relation to service. The Veteran contends his hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, but VA examiners have found no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period from July 11, 2017 to December 5, 2019. The case is remanded for referral to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration of TDIU for the period from January 14, 2010 to July 10, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and back disabilities, as well as his PFB and bilateral hearing loss have been REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's scars from vein stripping are not rated higher than their current levels.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and right knee disability were denied in previous rating decisions. The claim for DM II was remanded.,New evidence received since the last denial does not relate to the unestablished facts of these claims.

The Board has reopened the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a right shoulder condition, but these issues are being remanded due to deficiencies in the associated VA examinations and opinions.