Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not due to his military service. The decision resolves all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for hearing loss, and the Board dismissed it.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, low back disorder, allergic rhinitis, and chronic bronchitis have all been denied.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no showing of a disease or injury during service, continuous symptoms since service, or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not considered a disability for VA purposes, so his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, with some issues being remanded and others having their decisions left pending further development.,No effective date earlier than May 25, 2021 was granted for the adjustment disorder with anxiety.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is not a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions had their onset in the Veteran's active military service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's service-connected disabilities to his cardiorespiratory arrest.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with an adequate VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, as the previous examination was inadequate.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA under Chapter 35 were denied as the evidence does not support a finding that he was employed full-time prior to September 2, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied as there is no evidence of penile deformity.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for an exceptional pattern and falls within the noncompensable range.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied as he does not have hearing loss for VA purposes in that ear.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for lower back pain was denied as there is no evidence of a disability at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, for the period from September 14, 2021, to April 11, 2024, was denied as there is no evidence showing greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted.,The Veteran's initial claim for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss and unspecified depressive disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss or a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has found that the AOJ made errors in obtaining medical records and did not clarify the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is being remanded to correct these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss and unspecified depressive disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss or a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as Level I, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating. The Board denied the claim for an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss and unspecified depressive disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss or a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's tinnitus does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, and the Board has dismissed it.