Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since December 20, 2021. The Board found that the evidence did not show worsening and thus denied a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to military noise exposure during service and has continued since. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure did not result in permanent auditory damage and his post-service hearing loss is more likely due to age-related changes. Service connection was granted for tinnitus, with the onset believed to have occurred after service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between current hearing loss and military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and traumatic brain injury were denied, while his right ankle disabilities received initial disability ratings of 20 percent each. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated at a noncompensable rating since March 2017. The most recent VA examination in September 2023 showed average puretone thresholds of 55 decibels for the right ear and 59 decibels for the left ear, resulting in Level II Roman numeral designations for both ears. This resulted in a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of extraschedular considerations. The Veteran contends his hearing loss warrants an increased rating.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for initial disability ratings and compensable ratings related to his service-connected Meniere's disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a right knee disability and various ratings for coronary artery disease. The main issue is that the AOJ did not fully comply with previous instructions to verify the mailing address of the Veteran's unit at Ft. Lewis.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of examination based on the Veteran's testimony regarding exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for compliance with prior remand directives, specifically obtaining all non-medical records from the Social Security Administration (SSA) related to his application for disability benefits.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and his bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating, as it is currently rated at Level I and does not meet the criteria for an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted, but the issue is remanded due to a duty to assist error in obtaining and associating medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are remanded due to errors in obtaining and reviewing VA treatment records prior to August 2019, as well as failing to schedule a VA examination.

Your appeal has been dismissed because you did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement and good cause was not shown to extend the time for filing an appeal.