Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted due to the submission of new evidence showing noise exposure during service.,Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, both related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical examination regarding the Veteran's ability to require aid and attendance or be housebound.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board denied an evaluation in excess of this rating. The Veteran was previously granted a TDIU prior to May 22, 2022, due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's exposure to loud noise during service caused his current sensorineural hearing loss. The decision resolves all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0 percent, the lowest possible rating.,The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent and cannot be increased further under VA regulations.,The Veteran's left knee shin splints are rated at 10 percent due to requiring treatment for more than 12 consecutive months.,The Veteran's right knee shin splints are also rated at 10 percent based on the same criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His bilateral hearing loss was rated noncompensable, his tinnitus at the minimum schedular rating of 10%, and his acquired psychiatric disorder was not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and tinnitus have been denied.,A compensable evaluation for hemorrhoidectomy with pruritus ani has also been denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is considered to have been incurred in service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claimant.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability that meets VA criteria.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear sensorineural hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than August 6, 2021 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and an effective date earlier than August 25, 2023 for the grants of service connection for lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic, left and right are denied.,The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent for disc degeneration at fifth lumbar, first sacral of the lumbar spine, and ratings in excess of 40 and 20 percent for lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic, left and right are denied.,The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for scar, left knee, a rating in excess of 10 percent for painful scar, left knee, and a compensable rating for hemorrhoids are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and awarded a 10% rating effective October 1, 2021. The claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus service connection is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active-duty service, including considering the synergistic effect of all TERAs during his service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim for an initial compensable rating is denied.,Service connection for right knee arthritis has been granted in full by a prior decision. The appeal of this issue is dismissed.,Service connection for RLE, LLE, RUE, and LUE peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure is not established as the evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as there is no current case or controversy. The claim for the cause of death due to military service or a service-connected disability is denied.