Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, but his claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including failing to review private treatment records and inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted effective August 3, 2021. The grant of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits also became effective on the same date.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinions.

The Veteran's treatment at a non-VA facility was not for an emergency condition and VA facilities were feasibly available, leading to the denial of payment or reimbursement.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability based on the January 2024 rating decision by the AOJ, which is binding on the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for ischemic heart disease (atherosclerotic coronary artery disease). The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his active service, while the ischemic heart disease does not have its onset during service and there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The case is being sent back for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate VA examination, and new evidence submitted since the last denial. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service connected. The increased rating claims for right and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the back, intervertebral disc syndrome, left central disc protrusion and disc bulge at T7 through T11, right ear hearing loss disability, anxiety disorder, right hip disability, and left hip disability have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, earaches, anxiety, depression, insomnia, hip conditions, shoulder conditions, hand and knee arthritis, lumbago, plantar fasciitis, and upper extremity radiculopathy. The evidence did not support a finding of current disability or a link to service for any condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to his failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again with a new examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the most recent VA examination showing no worse than Level I in both ears. The Board denied a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.