Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss and an increased disability rating for PTSD from June 6, 2022, to February 7, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including neck, shoulder, hip, wrist, thumb, psychiatric disorders, foot pain, flatfeet, hearing loss, and knee conditions due to lack of evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrences.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a service connection as defined by VA regulations, and therefore his claim is denied.

The Appellant's claim for accrued benefits is dismissed because she did not identify a specific rating decision with which she disagreed.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his current bilateral hearing loss is related to service, including noise exposure. The weight of the evidence demonstrated that any current hearing loss was not otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right and left foot hallux valgus, gynecomastia, and PTSD from March 4, 2021 to December 6, 2022 were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in any of these cases.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at zero percent (noncompensable) as there was no exceptional pattern of hearing impairment and his complaints were considered in the assigned noncompensable rating.,For right and left foot hallux valgus, the evidence did not show symptoms or functional impairment more nearly approximating unilateral hallux valgus equivalent to amputation of great toe or unilateral hallux valgus operated with resection of metatarsal head. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability already compensated for some of his foot pain and soreness.,For gynecomastia, the evidence did not show either breast underwent mastectomy or wide local excision with significant alteration of size or form. Therefore, a higher rating was denied.,PTSD from March 4, 2021 to December 6, 2022 was rated at 70 percent (staged) and the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating in this period.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for osteomyelitis, right 3rd toe. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of all evidence.

Service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is granted.,Service connection for a Headache Condition is denied. The Veteran's report of headaches during service does not support current diagnosis.,Service connection for Bilateral Hearing Loss remains pending and remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding exposure to burn pits.,Service connection for Prostate Condition remains pending and remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding toxic exposures at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, while the claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded his claim for a higher rating for his service-connected vasomotor rhinitis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete audiometric data from the Veteran's separation examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during tank training. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted from July 28, 2017 to July 27, 2023.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for scalp psoriasis and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that these conditions had their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss disabilities, as well as OSA. The Veteran's current claim is based on in-service noise exposure but does not meet the criteria for a current disability due to VA regulations.

The Board found that the Veteran's notice of disagreement was untimely and dismissed the appeal.

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

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is assigned for both conditions.