Hearing loss decisions — 2025

The VA's decision to reduce the veteran's disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 40% to 10% was found improper. The 40% rating has been restored.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating higher than 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss, stating that the evidence does not support an increase.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and PTSD, were found to prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment since March 22, 2011. Therefore, the Board granted an extraschedular total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, but the veteran was granted TDIU from April 1, 2014, until June 24, 2016.

The appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 16, 2018, has been remanded. The Board needs more information about a July 2017 audiological evaluation.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. All other issues are remanded for further review.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions, including undiagnosed illness related to Gulf War service and sleep disturbances. However, it remanded decisions on joint pains, sleep apnea, fatigue, diabetes mellitus, tinea pedis, and TDIU.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted based on new and relevant evidence showing a link to noise exposure during active duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition, erectile dysfunction, and Pact Act were dismissed. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD prior to January 5, 2023 was denied. The claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was also denied.

The veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss was denied, but the claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was granted as it is related to the veteran's service-connected rhinitis.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is remanded. The Board will consider new evidence and obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not support a relationship between the condition and military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted under the PACT Act. Other claims were remanded for further review.

The veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating for various conditions were denied. The claim for left knee degenerative arthritis was remanded.

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

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's low back disability, sciatic nerve disability, right knee disability, and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran did not provide evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not show that a 10 percent evaluation was warranted before December 8, 2021.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's right ear hearing loss, determining it was due to military noise exposure during active service.

The Board dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for coronary artery disease and denied claims for earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.