Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss has been denied, and the Board has remanded his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed as the Veteran's authorized representative has withdrawn the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, right carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), left CTS, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, a kidney disorder, and right ear hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his bilateral hearing loss disability as no new and relevant evidence was received, despite multiple supplemental claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as he has current bilateral hearing loss, experienced in-service acoustic trauma, and continues to have symptoms since separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as anxiety disorder is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to the absence of audiometric findings meeting VA criteria for hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied due to the absence of reported symptoms and conflicting medical evidence.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, left hand disability, right hand disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are all denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on housebound status and need for aid and attendance were denied as he did not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to the lack of a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral pain of the right knee and right knee arthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome were also denied as there is no evidence showing that his conditions are related to service or secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and migraine headaches are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions on a direct or secondary basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for a left shoulder disability were denied. The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss or significant shoulder impairment warranting the requested ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,There is no evidence showing a present disability of tinnitus prior to the Veteran's death. The Veteran did not report experiencing tinnitus during his active duty service.

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

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted with an effective date of June 9, 2023.,An earlier effective date of March 26, 1999 is granted for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, and he receives a 10% rating for his multiple noncompensable disabilities. However, the criteria for a 10% rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities are not met.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected, and he receives a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be at Level I, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating. The Board denied the claim for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding missing service treatment records and periods of active duty training or inactive duty training.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran is also granted special monthly compensation due to the need for higher level aid and attendance related to his traumatic brain injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity.

The Veteran's right shoulder acromioclavicular strain has been granted service connection.,There is no current hearing loss disability for the purpose of VA compensation purposes.