Hearing loss decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for lung disability.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and prostate cancer as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, hearing loss, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not support an increase in severity beyond normal progression during active service.

The appeal for direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the July 2023 rating decision was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 11, 2020, warranting a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for bilateral dry eye with pterygium, cataracts prior to January 30, 2024, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to further clarification needed.

All appeals for service connection and rating reduction were dismissed due to concurrent election of review options.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and denied service connection for a heart disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a migraine headache disorder, a sleep apnea disorder, a fungal infection of the feet, a neck disorder, a back disorder, an eye/vision disorder, and a hearing loss disorder.

The Board granted service connection for headaches as secondary to tinnitus and denied a compensable rating for a scar associated with malignant melanoma, an increased rating for tinnitus, and remanded claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and TDIU.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to the service-connected condition of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board dismissed the petitions to readjudicate claims for service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, lower back condition, migraines, and bilateral hearing loss due to procedural errors. The claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral eye condition, psychiatric disability, and other disabilities. Service connection was granted for a dental condition solely to establish eligibility for outpatient dental treatment.

The Board granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) on a secondary basis and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a low back disorder, left and right hip disorders, as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation by a service-connected disability. The claims were also denied on a presumptive basis.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left elbow disorder, right elbow disorder, and vitamin D deficiency, to include residuals.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as the Veteran had good cause to miss a scheduled VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depressive disorder, and other specified stressor disorder, but dismissed the claim for tinnitus. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.