Hearing loss decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor and finding that his bilateral hearing loss is the result of in-service noise exposure.

The appeal regarding service connection for PTSD was dismissed, while the claims for a right shoulder disability and tinnitus were granted. Other claims for hearing loss, asthma, hip disability, COPD, eye disability, stomach disability, and left ankle disability were denied or remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss due to an error in not providing the Veteran with notice of his right to a hearing before the AOJ issued its initial decision.

The appeal for a compensable rating for hypertension and the claim for a 10-percent evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324, based on multiple non-compensable service-connected disabilities, were dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability based on the evidence being at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had onset in service.

The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities, including a cervical spine disability, low back disability, and various limb and heart conditions, as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or were related to the veteran's service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but remanded his claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder manifesting with impaired sleep.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating and earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss, as well as a higher rating and earlier effective date for tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Board denied an earlier effective date and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding no evidence supporting these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, as the evidence did not support a compensable rating.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss based on new and relevant evidence that demonstrated a positive nexus to the Veteran's service.

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

The Board remands the claims for service connection for trigger finger and bilateral hearing loss due to a duty to assist error, including an inadequate VA examination and missing service treatment records.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and assigned a 10 percent rating, but no higher, for right hip strain impairment of the thigh. The other claims were denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.

The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as there is no evidence of a causal nexus between the current disability and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability as there was no evidence of chronic in-service symptoms, continuity of symptomatology, or a nexus between the in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss.