Hearing loss Board decisions

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral pes planus (claimed as flatfoot) are denied. The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinea pedis (athlete's foot) and lumbosacral strain are remanded.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as service connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and loss of balance are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension have been denied. A TDIU has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 2, 2015, for TDIU was denied as the evidence did not show actual worsening within one year prior to his March 2, 2015, claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea, as well as his request for an increased rating for right ankle sprain. The decision found no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial increased rating for tinnitus has been withdrawn and dismissed. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not have a disability for VA purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been withdrawn and are dismissed. Service connection has been granted for generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, but denied for other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities have been found to preclude substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, depression, migraine headaches, hypertension, abnormal heartbeat, bilateral eye condition (sensitivity to light), erectile dysfunction, skin disorder, upper spine condition, lower back condition, skeletal arthritis of entire joint system, left hip condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, left foot condition, and right foot condition have all been denied.,The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for any of these conditions due to a lack of current disability or no evidence linking the claimed conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection was dismissed because the appeals were untimely filed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased disability ratings for chronic dysphagia, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection claims related to left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left knee strain, bilateral hearing loss, and low back injury.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with an addendum medical opinion seeking a fully supported and reasoned opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic cough, thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral flat foot due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examiners. The claims will be reconsidered with new examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to duty to assist errors prior to the January 2025 rating decision.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for a 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted from February 11, 2025. An earlier effective date for the 50% rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 2, 2025, is denied. The Veteran's entitlement to TDIU is granted from February 11, 2025.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). However, his claim is denied because he can still secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation despite these conditions.