Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and Alzheimer's disease due to new evidence received since the October 2025 rating decision. The Veteran contends that his hearing loss is related to service, but a VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not show a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral wrist disability is denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking his current wrist condition to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, and therefore denied her claim. The right and left ankle disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, voiding dysfunction, and sarcoid type granuloma of the right upper lip are granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder condition are denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability at the time of filing his claim or during its pendency. The evidence showed no complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions until after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), and a bilateral foot disability (claimed as plantar fasciitis) are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development.

The Board has decided that service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied, and the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and PTSD are both remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's initial 40 percent rating for hypertensive chronic kidney disease is granted, effective December 1, 2025. A TDIU is also granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for hearing loss and back condition as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for service connection due to a need for further development and consideration of new evidence, including a potential new determination regarding his character of discharge under amended regulations. The appeals are also remanded for service connection determinations.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The evidence does not show that the Veteran's hypertension has reached a level where continuous medication is required, nor did his blood pressure readings consistently meet the criteria for a higher rating. For his bilateral hearing loss, the VA examination results indicated Level I hearing in both ears, warranting a noncompensable disability evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory condition (claimed as COPD) due to inadequate examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's prostate cancer claim is denied due to lack of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and insufficient evidence linking his condition to service.,The Veteran's left ankle disability claim is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding pre-existing versus in-service aggravation.,The Veteran's lower back disability claim is remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion on the relationship between his current condition and service.,The Veteran's depression claim is remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion on the relationship between his current condition and service.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if he has hearing loss and whether it is related to service.,The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and nontoxic goiter claims are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to his left ankle injury.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion on the relationship between his current condition and service.,The Veteran's nontoxic goiter claim is remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion on the relationship between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been service-connected, but the VA examiner found that the test results were not valid for rating purposes. The Board is remanding the case to obtain a new examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is due to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his migraines, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The AOJ should obtain new adequate opinions for these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the schedular evaluation adequately reflects his symptoms and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted effective from May 24, 2024. The claim for increased ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted as service connected, and the claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.