Hearing loss decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied increased ratings for the Veteran's cervical spine, GAD with PDD, left knee, right knee, left shoulder, thoracolumbar, and migraine disabilities. The claims for service connection for acne or residuals of acne, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), chronic sinusitis, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), respiratory insufficiency (dyspnea) were remanded.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the low back disability, denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, granted a separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, migraine headaches, left ear hearing loss, and other disorders, as well as denied an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder with traumatic brain injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and hepatitis C as there was no evidence of functional impairment sufficient to warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied a staged rating higher than 70 percent for bilateral hearing loss from September 4, 2024 to November 19, 2024, and a rating higher than 50 percent thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, a left elbow disability (claimed as osteoarthritis), and a higher rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the current disability and his active service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a need for an addendum VA opinion and proper notice of the right to a hearing.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that both conditions are etiologically related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as remanded certain issues.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) but denied an earlier effective date for the increased rating of 70 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to noise exposure during his active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and granted service connection for lumbar discogenic pain with right radiculopathy, left thumb injury residuals, bilateral hand tremors, chronic rhinitis (presumptively), and chronic sinusitis.,The Veteran's lumbar discogenic pain with right radiculopathy is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was dismissed due to the untimely filing of a Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) and (r)(1) based on his need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for depressive disorder with anxiety and insomnia, but denied an initial compensable rating for dental teeth seven, eight, and nine. The issues of service connection for hypertension and left ear hearing loss were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and right shoulder impingement syndrome due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities meeting VA criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right fifth metacarpal disability, and chronic headaches.