Hearing loss decisions — 2025

The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance, SMC at the M level based on loss of use of the lower extremities, and SMC at the O level based on the award of SMC L and SMC M. The claim for SMC based on housebound status was dismissed as moot.

The Board denied increased ratings for larynx cancer, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. A 10 percent rating was granted for hypertension, but the claims for colon cancer with residuals and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD with TBI, and post-concussive headaches. Service connection was denied for gulf war syndrome.

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 standards. The claims for left and right foot pain were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease (IHD), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent placement as secondary to IHD, hypertensive heart disease, and emphysema. The COPD claim was denied.

The claims for service connection for fatigue and bilateral hearing loss were dismissed due to an untimely VA Form 10182, with no good cause shown.

The Board remands the claim for a bilateral hearing loss disability to ensure an adequate VA audiological examination is conducted.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion addressing the Veteran's contention that his change in hearing thresholds, as documented from 1979 through 1982, indicates he sustained auditory damage due to conceded military noise exposure during active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review the case.

The appeal for the issues of PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus and sinusitis are dismissed as a matter of law. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension is denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including headaches, BCC, carpal tunnel, CFS, fibromyalgia, right ear hearing loss, lipoma, OSA, thoracic pain, neck pain, and peripheral neuropathy in the left and right lower extremities, as there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and bilateral hearing loss, and dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss to obtain additional medical opinions, including consideration of the conversion of the 1969 separation audiogram from ASA to ISO-ANSI units and a potential connection to Reserve service.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for chronic headaches and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board granted the status as a surviving spouse for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) purposes, denied service connection for right hand arthritis and obstructive sleep apnea, granted service connection for chronic myelocytic leukemia, and denied earlier effective dates for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The claims for increased ratings and other remanded issues were also addressed.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted a June 12, 2023 effective date for service connection of the bilateral hearing loss disability but denied a compensable rating for it.

The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, and these issues are dismissed.

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

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 standards.