Hearing loss decisions — 2025

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination and opinions to address the adequacy of previous examinations, including consideration of the correct standards used in recording audiometric results.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss to correct a duty-to-assist error and to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's potential participation in a toxic exposure risk activity.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, effective April 30, 2021.

The Board denied the claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate prior to August 22, 2018.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss based on a finding of continuous symptoms since service, and remanded the matter to assign an appropriate rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a low back disability, but remanded claims for mental health disability, substance abuse, type two diabetes mellitus (DMII), hormonal imbalance, bilateral glaucoma, and left knee disability.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, lumbosacral strain with spondylosis, and end stage renal disease status post kidney transplant. The claims for left ear hearing loss, asbestosis, and tuberculosis were remanded.

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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no continuous pursuit of his initial claim.

The appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining claims were remanded.

The Board remands the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss to obtain an adequate medical opinion as to whether the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right shoulder, back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss to obtain additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for hearing loss, an enlarged prostate, sleep apnea, a disability manifested by blood in the urine, and right leg pain due to an impermissible concurrent election of administrative review.

The Board remands all issues on appeal for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and private medical records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran does not have a current disability that meets VA's criteria for hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a thoracolumbar spine disorder due to a lack of evidence demonstrating current disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, and no nexus between the claimed conditions and military service.

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the preexisting condition worsened during active service due to noise exposure.