Hearing loss decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability. The appeal was also remanded for further consideration of the Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as due to toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).

The appeal for service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss was denied.,The appeal for service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss was denied.,Service connection for right ear tinnitus is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for left ear tinnitus is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for right foot disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for left foot disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for right ankle disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for back disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for right knee disability secondary to service-connected right foot disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for left knee disability secondary to service-connected left foot disability is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to service-connected right and left knee disabilities is granted, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board remands the case to obtain complete service treatment records, including Reserve STRs, as they may contain evidence pertinent to the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of right knee sprain with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's service connection for right ear hearing loss was granted, while left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding it as likely as not that the condition is related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss based on the audiometric test results that did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the claims for increased rating and service connection as there was no evidence of a link between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his period of active service.

The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for remanding certain service connection claims.

The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), service connection for a sinus condition, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the service-connected chronic sinusitis. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review it.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral foot plantar fasciitis and a TDIU prior to July 24, 2025, while denying higher ratings for back disability, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and mental health disability.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss due to noise exposure during active service, as an adequate VA opinion is required regarding the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicides under the PACT Act.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee condition, and service connection for back, left shoulder, left knee conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection and denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and remanded several issues related to his lower extremity varicose veins, TDIU, and hearing loss.

The Veteran was granted an earlier effective date of February 26, 2016, for service connection of right ear hearing loss. The claim for a higher initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board remands the matter of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression associated with tinnitus, left knee strain, tinnitus, hypertension, and hearing loss, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience.