Hearing loss decisions — 2025

The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 17, 2024, for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a 30 percent initial rating for hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss and assigned a 30 percent disability rating. The claims for left ear hearing loss, initial ratings for shoulder conditions, and right ear hearing loss were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, left shoulder rotator cuff tear with surgical repair, lumbosacral strain, and an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the original grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, thus severing it was proper. However, there was not enough evidence to support severance of tinnitus, so that decision was improper.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted initial ratings of 70 percent for right hand essential tremors, 60 percent for left hand essential tremors, and 30 percent for asbestosis with pulmonary nodule. It denied a rating higher than 30 percent for asbestosis, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and remanded issues related to atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and increased ratings.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee degenerative joint disease, left and right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board granted service connection for a right hand tendon disability but dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to untimely filing.

The Board denied an effective date earlier than March 14, 2025 for a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for an effective date earlier than March 14, 2025 for a 100 percent rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a back condition, knee conditions, headaches, and others, as the evidence did not demonstrate that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service, ADT, or IDT.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence supporting a nexus between the conditions and the Veteran's active military service.

The Board granted service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability and an initial rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches, while denying service connection for hemorrhoids. The effective date for the grant of service connection for allergic rhinitis was set to October 5, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for alcohol use disorder with unspecified depressive disorder and dismissed the appeal for hearing loss due to untimely filing.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claim for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, with some issues being remanded.

The veteran's appeal for service connection and disability rating was dismissed due to untimely filing.

The Veteran's left ear sensorineural hearing loss was granted, while the claims for right ear hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine condition, cervical strain, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied.

The Board denied several claims for increased ratings and service connection, while granting one claim for a higher rating and another for secondary service connection.