Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal regarding the effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy has been remanded.,The Veteran's appeal regarding an initial evaluation in excess of 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy has been remanded.,The Veteran's appeals regarding the effective dates for bilateral hearing loss and Dependents' Educational Assistance have been remanded.,The Veteran's appeal regarding restoration of special monthly compensation for the loss of use, deafness of both ears, has been remanded.

The Veteran's scar, post right inguinal hernia surgical repair is granted a 20 percent rating.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for a skin condition (chloracne and/or dermatitis) as secondary to herbicide exposure is remanded.,Service connection for acute renal failure (kidney condition) as due to an enlarged prostate and/or herbicide exposure is remanded.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis as due to herbicide exposure is remanded.,Service connection for total right knee replacement, to include as due to rheumatoid arthritis and/or herbicide exposure is remanded.,Service connection for depression with sleep disturbance, to include as secondary to rheumatoid arthritis is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for hypertension was granted, as new and material evidence has been received. The condition is now claimed as secondary to kidney, colon, and/or prostate cancer.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction was granted, as new and material evidence has been received. The condition is now claimed as secondary to kidney, colon, and/or prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for psoriasis and bilateral hearing loss due to issues with obtaining necessary medical records, including those from Dr. C.W., and further development is required to address the impact of his service-connected PTSD and hypertension on his psoriasis.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus because they were previously denied in January 2003, and no new evidence was submitted within one year of that decision.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and dismissed the appeal as to the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss disability is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 0 percent, as the evidence does not show it meets or approximates the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is rated at 0 percent, as he has experienced no incapacitating episodes in the past year and his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, anxiety, diminished eyesight, and an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence supporting these claims. The Veteran's current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss. The case is being remanded to address the issue of service connection for Atelectasis scarring of lung.,Service connection for tinnitus was established based on in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment from at least August 1, 2014, and the Board granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current hearing impairment and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, including sedentary employment. The Board grants a TDIU based on the combined evaluation of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone, combined with his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, renders him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted. Additionally, the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on statutory housebound status are met due to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. Specifically, additional VA-audiogram reports are needed to be associated with the claims file, including one dated in July 2023. The claim for service connection for a balance disorder as secondary to bilateral hearing loss disability is also being remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss because there was no timely appeal within one year of the Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable ratings for hearing loss and PTSD, to include major depressive disorder and insomnia disorder is dismissed.,Service connection for a low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as non-compensable, with a combined evaluation of level II in the right ear and level I in the left ear. The Board denied his claim for a compensable rating.