Hearing loss decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disability diagnosed as depressive disorder and a back disability (diagnosed as intervertebral disc syndrome), but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied increased ratings for several service-connected conditions and granted service connection for a few others, including tinea pedis, bilateral dry eye syndrome, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, left knee disability (secondary), right knee disability (secondary), and right ankle disability (secondary).

The Board granted earlier effective dates of March 27, 2020, for TDIU and DEA benefits but denied higher disability ratings for breast cancer residuals, breast scars, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several other claims.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, celiac disease with cyclic vomiting syndrome, adjustment disorder with anxiety, PTSD, and ulnar and median neuropathy of the right upper extremity as they were essentially identical to previous denials.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied increased ratings for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for both left and right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability or nexus to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran has withdrawn the appeal for service connection claims, and there is no case or controversy for adjudication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss to afford the Veteran a VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability but granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The claims for service connection for a brain tumor, left ear hearing loss, and a higher rating for major depressive disorder were remanded.

The Board remands the claim for a medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to service, including conceded noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not show a current disability in either ear.

The Board granted service connection for left leg, right leg, left foot, and right foot disabilities as secondary to a service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral strain. Tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss claims were denied.

The Board remands the claims for higher ratings and TDIU to correct an error in providing notice of the Veteran's right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Board granted an effective date of April 19, 2021, for the award of service connection for hypertension and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus. Bilateral hearing loss was also granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of left ear hearing loss due to inadequate medical evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities.