Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for Bell's palsy and bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need to address secondary service connection claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for service connection of lumbosacral strain and right ear hearing loss due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the earliest effective date permitted by law is September 1, 2021.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss due to the appellant's withdrawal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to a lack of supporting documentation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has maintained employment in the past and can perform substantially gainful employment despite his conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, ankle disorders, vertigo, tinea pedis, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation or evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with continuity of symptomatology shown in service.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, bladder incontinence (claimed as secondary to hypertension), right hand arthritis, left hand arthritis, and a sleep disability. The claim for tinnitus was also denied.,Service connection is not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was remanded due to insufficient evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is granted, but has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and clarification regarding his service-connected disabilities, including his military service records and exposure to acoustic trauma. The claims will be reconsidered based on the evidence of record at the time of the August 2022 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, warranting service connection. However, the effective dates for TDIU and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate need further review as they may be earlier than October 30, 2019.

The Board dismissed the matter of service connection for dental trauma. Service connection was granted for a psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, skin condition, gastritis, and occipital laceration.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a dental condition and bilateral hearing loss, as the additional records submitted do not relate to these conditions or their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran also had a claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss, which was also denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection, and his right ear hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome, left wrist condition with ganglion cyst, right foot pes planus, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the effective dates for the grants of service connection were not earlier than June 11, 2021.,Hearing loss was rated as noncompensable (0 percent) since June 11, 2021.