Hearing loss decisions — 2025

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral chronic suppurative otitis media and a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss with bilateral middle ear effusion and bilateral eustachian tube dysfunction.

The Board granted an effective date of March 2, 2023 for heart disease and September 28, 2023 for chronic renal failure, while denying earlier effective dates for PTSD, migraines, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board also granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a mental health disorder, substance use/abuse disorder, prostate cancer, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence in the record.

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

The Board remands the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss to the AOJ for further development, specifically to interpret the results of the Veteran's August 1970 audiogram and address any in-service significant threshold shifts.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for cervical strain, bilateral hearing loss, right and left shoulder strains, tinnitus, and endometriosis was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for hypertension but denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for hypertension, heart disease, kidney condition, diabetes, left lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, depression, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss requires regular aid and attendance, entitling him to special monthly compensation.

The Board denied service connection for gout in foot, bilateral and non-compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension. The issues of entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and an initial compensable rating for left knee arthroscopic ligament repair were remanded.

The Board denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including prostate cancer, left lung residuals, tinnitus, hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and abdominal scar. Service connection was granted for headaches secondary to tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss based on the results of an audiometric test.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran did not have a current disability during the appeal period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for hearing loss, a higher initial rating for tinnitus, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including as secondary to tinnitus.

The Board granted a 40 percent initial disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome; 20 percent initial disability ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy; and a 10 percent disability rating for limitation of extension in the left hip due to osteoarthritis. The claim for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability but granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for tinnitus prior to February 2, 2024. The claims for a rating greater than 10 percent for tinea pedis, and for service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity nerve conditions were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial compensable evaluation for eustachian tube dysfunction due to the lack of evidence showing current disabilities meeting VA criteria.