Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss as there was no current disability meeting VA's definition of a hearing loss condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as it was not incurred in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as it was shown in service and has subsequent manifestations during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted as the evidence is at least in equipoise that it is related to an in-service assault.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was granted as there is continuity of symptoms since service and no other plausible cause.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and bilateral flatfoot, as well as his claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The Board has found that the Veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the AOJ failed to obtain adequate medical opinions for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot condition, bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and tinnitus. The VA medical opinions did not address all relevant conditions or provide sufficient explanations.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and denied the claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, low back disorder, left lower extremity numbness, right lower extremity numbness, left upper extremity numbness, right upper extremity numbness, and tension headaches.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as he requested the withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's travel to the Albuquerque VAMC on February 28, 2024, was related to his service-connected hearing loss and he received a replacement part for his cochlear implant. The claim was initially denied as untimely filed but the Board found that the appointment had been completed by March 4, 2024, and applied the benefit of the doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to correct errors in the AOJ's duty to assist under 38 U.S.C. § 5103A.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and initial evaluations for dry eye syndrome due to new evidence. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not considered service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not show a current disability at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss due to outstanding relevant VA treatment records, specifically an April 2021 audiogram.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for GERD due to a lack of medical opinion and potential continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right foot disability, tinnitus, and hearing loss due to lack of VA examinations. The Veteran was incarcerated during the appeal period.

The Veteran's hearing acuity was no worse than Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.,There is only one painful scar of the abdomen, rated at 10 percent under DC 7804. The Veteran does not have two scars that are unstable or painful.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss based on the audiometric test results showing Level I hearing acuity in both ears, which equates to a noncompensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.