Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating evaluation for hearing loss, hypertension, left knee scar, right knee tricompartmental degenerative arthritis, arthritis - hands, fingers, shoulder, hips, knees and right clavicle, insomnia, low back pain, numbness in arms, or right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not show a nexus between his current condition and military noise exposure.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not show a nexus between his current condition and military noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service onset or aggravation and noting clear and unmistakable evidence of preexisting right ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, finding that it is related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for coronary artery disease remains pending as the AOJ needs to conduct further research into potential herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition is not related to his service and remands the case for further development.,The Veteran contends his current right shoulder condition is due to heavy lifting during service, but there is no evidence of a pre-existing injury or chronic condition in service. The VA examination did not find any link between his current condition and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's request for higher-level review was timely submitted, and thus the appeal is considered valid. The VA denied service connection for various conditions in a previous rating decision, but the Board found that the Veteran's submission of his request for higher-level review was timely.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found no evidence to support a compensable evaluation for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, and his maximum schedular rating for tinnitus was upheld.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues related to arthritis, cyst or benign growth, residuals of right-hand shrapnel wound, squamous cell cancer on the back, residual scars on lower back, hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, gastritis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a new opinion from a qualified examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise or reverse a March 7, 2019 rating decision for bilateral hearing loss and a May 16, 2017 rating decision for left shoulder dislocation. The March 7, 2019 decision did not err in assigning a 20% disability rating for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence showed it was not at a level warranting a higher rating. The May 16, 2017 decision did not assign a separate rating for left shoulder dislocation due to internal inconsistency and conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's asthma, COPD, and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected on a direct basis. The Board found the evidence in approximate balance regarding the onset of his respiratory symptoms during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD, allergic rhinitis, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and herniated disc at L4-L5, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, bilateral fallen arches, neurological condition of other systems, and bilateral hearing loss are all service-connected. However, a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service hazardous noise exposure and service connection for this condition is granted. The back disability claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a hearing disability during service and insufficient continuity of symptomatology to establish a link between current hearing loss and military noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require the need for regular aid and attendance, as he is capable of performing most activities of daily living with assistance from his informal caretaker.