Hearing loss decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss on a presumptive basis due to continuous symptoms since separation, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss as the evidence did not show it met VA compensation criteria.

The Board denied a rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, but granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple disabilities due to a failure to report for scheduled examinations.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disabilities but granted a 30% rating for essential tremors in the right upper extremity. The claims for service connection for headaches, a right shoulder disorder, and bilateral hearing loss were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran has a hearing loss disability of either ear due to or as a result of noise exposure in service.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, back, and neck disabilities, as well as obstructive sleep apnea secondary to service-connected conditions. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent from August 5, 2014 to August 3, 2018 and then increased to 30 percent from August 3, 2018 to June 24, 2020. The rating for the period starting June 24, 2020 was denied.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and memory loss, as well as increased ratings for right knee disabilities, to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as there was no evidence to support a finding that his current hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and did not find evidence to support secondary service connection for vertigo, dizziness, and loss of balance.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The appeal for service connection for hearing loss was dismissed due to an untimely notice of disagreement, while the claim for tinnitus is remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hammertoe left foot and right foot, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability under VA regulatory criteria.

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board remands the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and scheduling a new VA examination to determine whether the Veteran has a current hearing loss disability related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability for VA compensation purposes. The appeal to establish service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for further development.

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

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea. The effective dates for asthma, PTSD, and GERD were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss based on the results of a December 2022 VA examination.