Hearing loss decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and continuous symptoms since service.

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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and right and left knee disabilities. However, the claim for an earlier effective date of December 30, 2022, for pseudofolliculitis barbae with dermatitis was granted.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim in September 2024.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss based on the results of an audiological examination.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, but denied service connection for a hernia condition and hearing loss. The claims for flatfoot bilateral and another back disability were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a neck disability, a bowel disability, and a low back disability.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorder, right ankle sprain with shin splints, and left knee strain with shin splints.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for alcohol use disorder and general anxiety disorder due to a need for further evidence.

The Board remands the appeal for additional development, including obtaining a complete service treatment record and scheduling an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss disability.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and service connection for kidney disease to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss to obtain an addendum medical opinion that adequately considers the Veteran's lay statements and supporting evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the results of audiological evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss based on the results of a November 2023 VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a compensable rating for hypothyroidism, and entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The appeal for service connection for tinnitus was dismissed as the Veteran did not file a Notice of Disagreement with the September 2024 rating decision that granted service connection, and there are no downstream issues to address.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased evaluations, resulting in the dismissal of all issues.