Hearing loss decisions — 2025

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's passing in December 2023.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) as there was no evidence to support that a service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence from a VA examination.

The Board denied various claims for increased disability ratings and restoration of a compensable rating for the Veteran's left knee, bilateral pes planus, right ankle, left hip, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities.

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

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that December 8, 2023, was the earliest factually ascertainable date when a current disability for VA purposes existed.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder strain with calcific tendonitis, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The lower back disability claim was remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence linking the condition to his active-duty service.

The appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss, a heart condition, and hypertension have been withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and left ear tinnitus but denied it for right ear hearing loss.

The Board remands the issues for further development to ensure all available service treatment records are associated with the claims file.

The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was withdrawn, the claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss was denied, and the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was remanded.

The Board granted a 10 percent disability rating for the spinal stenosis surgery scar and denied a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis. The claim for right ear hearing loss was readjudicated based on new evidence but ultimately denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left wrist degenerative arthritis, migraines, bilateral hearing loss, eye disability, and sciatica of the right lower extremity. However, it granted a 40 percent rating for back disability, service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to the back disability, and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ear hearing loss based on the results of a VA audiological examination.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding a relationship to the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied service connection for persistent depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and bilateral hearing loss as the evidence of record did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor based on a positive private medical opinion and credible lay statements.

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, denied earlier effective dates for prostate cancer residuals and major depressive disorder, denied increased ratings for CKD, tinnitus, and hearing loss, denied a higher rating for depression, and denied an earlier effective date for prostate cancer residuals. The Board granted TDIU and an earlier effective date for chronic kidney disease.

The appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was dismissed as the issue is moot due to a full grant of benefits. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for other conditions were remanded for further development.