Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his tinnitus began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is denied because the evidence does not show that he has characteristic lesions involving at least five percent but less than 20 percent of the entire body affected; or intermittent systemic therapy over the past 12-month period.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as there are inconsistencies in the medical records regarding whether his hearing loss had its onset during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current hearing loss and service.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for eye (vision) condition, hearing loss, and an initial compensable rating for limitation of motion of the temporomandibular joint.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, HIV and AIDS, PFB, and left hand ring finger disability are denied. The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for his left hand scar disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened due to new and relevant evidence. However, the Board finds that he does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes. The skin disability issue is remanded as there was an inadequate examination in the previous rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding no evidence to support these claims based on the lack of a significant threshold shift in his right ear during service and the absence of any nexus between his current hearing loss and service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 24, 2021, for the award of 80 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there was no increase in disability prior to that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no reliable clinical evidence of a current disability that meets VA criteria.

The Board has determined that there were duty to assist errors in the initial decisions regarding bilateral hearing loss and dizziness/vertigo, and thus remands these claims for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to August 10, 2022. Beginning August 10, 2022, his combined disability rating is 100 percent and the issue of TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the presence of other service-connected disabilities.

Service connection granted for migraine headaches. Service connection denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,One of the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for anxiety condition as secondary to migraine headaches is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, bilateral hearing loss disability (right ear), and tinnitus due to potential exposure during active duty. The cases are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for urinary frequency secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea is denied as there is no medical evidence showing that the condition was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss likely began during his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examination opinions are inadequate and remands the case for a new opinion to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss based on the results of audiometric tests, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 24, 2014. The issue remains pending in the Legacy system.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection was granted for right knee strain and left knee strain, as well as pneumonia (with denial of service connection). Service connection for cardiovascular disease was denied.