Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in at least relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran has a current disability of tinnitus. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of persuasive evidence showing it manifested within one year of discharge from active service or was otherwise caused by service.

Service connection for sinusitis is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for left knee degenerative joint disease, residuals of surgery with chronic strain, are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD claims have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's right knee strain claim has been denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment. The left shoulder, SLAP tear, glenoid fracture, and osteochondral defect claim has been remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, PTSD, and gastritis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.,An effective date prior to May 6, 2021, for the grant of service connection for gastritis is also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of a disability that meets VA requirements.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss as there is insufficient evidence that the Veteran has right ear hearing loss or that his left ear hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, while the claim for bladder cancer was remanded.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not granted due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

Service connection is granted for bilateral flat feet.,New evidence has been received to readjudicate the claims of service connection for a disability of the left little finger, skin condition, and left eye disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is granted for a left knee disability (left knee arthritis).,The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), left wrist disability, and skin condition are remanded.

The Veteran's hearing loss is granted with a 30% rating, but no higher. The left knee condition claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, specifically noise exposure during active duty. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for beneficiary travel benefits associated with a June 13, 2024, VA medical appointment is granted due to the timely submission of a paper claim within 30 days after completing the travel.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions were incurred in service and have been chronic since then.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated at 0 percent, the lowest possible rating. The Board found that his bilateral hearing acuity did not meet or exceed Level I for either ear and thus does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with Level III hearing in both ears. The Board found the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no diagnosis of a current disability at VA standards.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, with level II hearing in the right ear and level III hearing in the left ear. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hearing loss due to duty-to-assist errors, including failure to obtain personnel records and VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not currently compensable, and thus the reduction from a 20% rating to a noncompensable rating was proper.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss disability to ensure that VA has met its duty to assist by obtaining relevant private records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be returned for further development.