Hearing loss decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss based on the results of a June 2023 VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence supporting a causal relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 24, 2014, as the evidence demonstrated that he was able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation despite service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and denied higher ratings for various disabilities. It also granted a separate 20% rating for right hip strain with impairment of thigh and a 50% rating for right knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome status post meniscectomy based on limitation of extension.

The appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected urinary incontinence, coronary artery disease, hearing loss, tinnitus, and right distal ulna disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and an earlier effective date were dismissed due to untimely filings.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, dizziness, headaches, palpitations, shortness of breath (dyspnea), sleep apnea, plantar fasciitis and heel spurs, and left big toe posttraumatic residual pain.

The Board denied service connection for restless leg syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and an initial compensable rating for dermatosis on the face.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral ear hearing loss, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor and finding that his current condition was aggravated during active duty.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and chronic headaches, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's rhinitis was rated at 0 percent, with no increased ratings granted for the other disabilities.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss to ensure that all necessary evidence is considered by the AOJ.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for the Veteran's disabilities and ancillary compensation benefits, finding that August 8, 2023, was correctly assigned as the effective date.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left knee, right elbow, left elbow, hearing loss, and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a current disability or a link to service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to ensure proper development of evidence regarding their etiology, particularly addressing any possibility of delayed onset hearing loss.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD and a 40 percent rating for lumbar strain, while denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and right foot sprain, denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and denied an increased rating for left lower leg radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve and lumbosacral strain. The issues related to right hip strain, right knee pain, left knee strain, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were remanded.