Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder condition, thoracic condition, and CKD have been granted with effective dates of July 5, 2024, but no earlier. The Veteran also received a 30 percent rating for CKD as of October 6, 2025.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss and hypertension due to insufficient medical evidence to determine a nexus between in-service noise exposure or use of ineffective ear plugs during service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, as well as a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, was denied. The case is also remanded for further adjudication regarding service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder).

The Board denied service connection for sinus condition, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and sleep apnea as there was no current disability related to these conditions during the pendency of the claim. The Veteran's self-reported symptoms were not supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased disability ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted an increased rating to 40 percent, and service connection for gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as functional abdominal pain syndrome and IBS) is granted. The Veteran's hypertension and left ear hearing loss disability are also granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted on the basis of direct evidence, while the denial relates to the assignment of a disability evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of VA examination records, failure to provide adequate notice, and other procedural issues. The Veteran was unable to attend scheduled examinations due to transportation and financial difficulties.

The Veteran's residuals of thyroidectomy are granted as service connection is established.,New evidence has been received to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss, and it is now pending for readjudication.,The Veteran's claims for hemorrhoids (claimed as hiatal hernia) and hiatal hernia (claimed as abdominal hernia) have been reopened due to new relevant evidence. The claims are currently pending for readjudication.

The appeal for service connection for migraine headaches is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 15, 2026, is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, diagnosed as right sensorineural hearing loss and left mixed hearing loss, is not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in current disability.

The Board has readjudicated the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and relevant evidence received after the previous denial. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have started during his active duty, and he was exposed to noise in service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss from August 28, 2024 to November 20, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing acuity warranted a rating in excess of 20 percent during this period.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to noise during military service is likely related to his current condition. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability present at separation or within one year thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including APD, right shoulder strain, left shoulder condition, cervical neck pain, scoliosis, and migraines. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims based on the lack of in-service injury or diagnosis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left wrist condition, right wrist condition, and left knee condition. The Veteran's sleep apnea is also found to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic diarrhea with intermittent constipation. The Veteran's current disabilities are linked to his military service due to exposure to noise during active duty and chemicals used in Operation Desert Storm.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, a back condition, hair loss, a right wrist condition, scars, tinnitus, kidney problems, erectile dysfunction, and left knee condition have been dismissed as the Veteran did not file timely notices of disagreement.