Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a laceration on the 4th digit of the left hand, chronic sinusitis, headaches, and dizziness. The Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service-connected bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for skin cancer, which is presumed due to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals like tetrahydro fluorine.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the earliest legal effective date is August 31, 2018.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to active service and the claim for service connection has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 9, 2022, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in ratings beyond the current 20% and 40% assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of bilateral hearing loss disability and right thumb disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and neck pain condition. The appeals for initial compensable ratings for right and left knee Osgood-Schlatter disease, degenerative disc disorder (DDD)/back pain, photophobia, visual floaters, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and headaches are being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by his active military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing that his current hearing loss began during service or was related to in-service noise exposure.,However, the Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for hallux valgus associated with bilateral pes planus was granted.,Service connection on any basis may only be granted for a current disability. There is no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, thus service connection is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss has not resulted in a compensable disability rating from November 1, 2019.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active duty service and has continued to the present. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the case is remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including right ear hearing loss, hypertension, allergies, heart disability, liver disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include stress/emotional disorder, are remanded due to incomplete information regarding his military service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain clarification of the specific dates and character of the appellant's service, including his Military Master Pay Account (MMPA) with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not addressing a secondary service connection theory for tinnitus, which may be caused by hearing loss. The issue of hearing loss is still pending and needs further development.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but the evidence does not show a current disability.,The Veteran seeks service connection for erectile dysfunction and an acquired psychiatric disability, both of which are secondary to his service-connected left shoulder, right shoulder, migraine headache, sleep apnea, and sinusitis disabilities. The Board finds remand necessary as adequate medical opinions are needed on the nature and etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but the evidence does not show a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, including diagnosed asthma and COPD. The issues of service connection for residuals of a stress fracture of the left fibula and bilateral hearing loss have been resolved in full.

The Board has denied service connection for a kidney disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremity, and erectile dysfunction.