Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his case file and because of the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing service records.

The Board has granted the appellant's petition to reopen claims for service connection for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, asthma, lumbar spine condition, cervical spine condition, and bilateral shoulder condition. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board has denied an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on the audiometric results provided during the appeal period.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for COPD is dismissed as the NOD was untimely filed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric and/or cognitive disorder, and bilateral vision loss. These claims are REMANDED for further development.,The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric and/or cognitive disorder, and bilateral vision loss is REMANDED as new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims.,Service connection for COPD remains denied. The claim is REMANDED due to the presence of new and material evidence regarding secondary service connection.,The appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for COPD, TDIU, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status is REMANDED.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings at any stage during the appeal period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities and no nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of right ear hearing loss has been dismissed due to their death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted as service connected. His bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating. The issue of service connection for skin cancer is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to an error in categorizing a supplemental claim as a Notice of Disagreement.

Service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted based on presumptive exposure to fine particulate matter, effective August 5, 2021. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing acuity warranted a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease, osteoarthritis of the right hand second digit and thumb, asthma, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), prostate cancer with prostatectomy, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, right thigh residual scar, right index finger scar, and abdomen scar, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating above 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the LUE with LUE weakness prior to September 10, 2019 are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's tinnitus was caused by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and the Board granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral vision loss, hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, tinnitus, right neck lesion, shoulder disabilities, carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist pain, lumbar spine disability, colon disability with associated abdominal scar, and foot disabilities. The reasons given include lack of evidence showing the conditions were present during or within one year after service, no credible link to service, and failure to show continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected due to noise exposure during military service. The claims for increased ratings of left and right bunionectomy scars are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Appellant's withdrawal of his appeals for VA benefits, service connection, and compensation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there were duty-to-assist errors in obtaining medical opinions prior to the July 2024 rating decision.