Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability, and any noise exposure during service did not result in permanent auditory damage. The Veteran's current hearing loss was first noted more than 40 years after separation from service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that she does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depression and anxiety disorder, was found to be causally linked to his service-connected traumatic brain injury. His tinnitus was also granted based on credible reports of in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the adequacy of the VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,Right knee degenerative arthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis are denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The left ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during service.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as they are at least as likely as not due to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as sleep-wake disorder and PTSD), a low back disorder, right knee disorders, left knee disorders, right foot disorders, and left foot disorders are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after new examinations have been conducted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss as there were no valid NODs filed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no current diagnosis of hearing loss in either ear and that the evidence did not support a grant of these claims.

The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was not proper, and the 20 percent rating is restored effective January 10, 2022.,Entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for cerebrovascular accident (claimed as stroke) is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the medical opinion.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for hypertension as a matter of law, denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and remanded claims for service connection for various conditions including a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, vertigo, sleep apnea, skin cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and nasal fracture residuals, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the combined effects of his service-connected conditions alone are insufficient to preclude all forms of employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as he did not meet the regulatory definition of hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Veteran's jaw condition is granted as service connected.,Service connection for residuals of pneumonia is denied.,Right knee disability secondary to right ankle disability is granted.,Bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected.,Sleep apnea is granted as secondary to the jaw condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring an adequate VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, valvular heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, fungal infection of the left toe, and bilateral hearing loss, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since May 11, 2021. The Board has granted a TDIU effective as of that date.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to an inadequate VA medical opinion in November 2023. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination.