Hearing loss decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The appeal was dismissed due to a concurrent election of review options, which is not permissible under the Appeals Modernization Act framework.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and hearing loss, as well as special monthly compensation based on housebound status or need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from February 11, 2019. He also received increased ratings for his radiculopathy in the right and left lower extremities.

The Board denied a rating greater than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss from April 27, 2021, and granted restoration of the 30 percent rating for left knee extension and the 10 percent rating for left knee flexion.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and an earlier effective date, as well as a higher rating for hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran does not have a current disability under VA regulations.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and a bilateral hearing loss disability, while denying increased ratings for several conditions including GERD, right wrist CTS, left wrist CTS, right knee strain, left knee strain, right shin splint with MTSS, and left shin splint with MTSS. The Board also granted separate ratings of 30 percent, 20 percent, 40 percent, and 10 percent for neurological impairment of the right median nerve associated with CTS, lumbar degenerative arthritis with spondylosis, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, respectively.

The appeal was dismissed for the proposed rating reduction of bilateral hearing loss, and various claims for service connection were denied.

The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's left knee disability and service connection for tinnitus, while denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also granted service connection for right and left hip disabilities, as well as a psychiatric disability, but remanded several other claims.

The veteran was granted a rating of at least 10 percent for left ankle scars and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD with gastritis, as well as service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, and headaches.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and dismissed the appeal for bilateral hearing loss as moot, effective from July 29, 2024.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and an effective date prior to May 26, 2021, for the grants of service connection for hemorrhoids and acne. The claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a left wrist disability (claimed as arthritis), a left arm disability (claimed as numbness), a right arm disability (claimed as numbness), painful joints, and acne and hemorrhoids were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions and toxic exposures during service.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo due to new evidence being received.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence supports an in-service onset of the disability.

The Board remands the claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss due to a need for additional evidence, specifically audiometric testing results from VA treatment records.