Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to a duty to assist error related to scheduling an examination for the Veteran while incarcerated.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that his current condition is etiologically related to in-service noise exposure and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA guidelines, and there is no evidence of current sleep apnea or erectile dysfunction.,The Veteran's headaches do not qualify for a higher rating as they are characterized by less frequent attacks.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.,The Veteran's right wrist strain is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found no evidence supporting an increase in this rating.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for cause of death and remands the case for further development.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including diabetes, eye conditions, GERD, gout, hypothyroidism, neck disability, left shoulder disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The effective dates for the granted disabilities have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that there was not an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle disability, left knee disability, hypertension, vertigo/loss of balance, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions or their relationship to military service.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for bladder tumors have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee chondromalacia and obstructive sleep apnea, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disturbances and a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding no current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left sciatica, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to duty-to-assist errors prior to the February 2025 decision on appeal. The issues are inextricably intertwined with his pending back and neck disabilities.

The Veteran's tension headaches and bilateral hearing loss were not found to meet the criteria for service connection based on current medical evidence. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were granted with a 10% rating effective April 10, 2025. The appeal for an earlier effective date was denied. The claim for increased ratings for both conditions is also denied.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the untimeliness and inapplicability of the Veteran's Notice of Disagreement with regard to a May 2016 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee strain and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted service connection as presumed related to exposure to fine particulate matter during his Gulf War service. His bilateral hearing loss and left eyebrow, scalp scars are not rated higher than the current noncompensable ratings.

Service connection was granted for unspecified anxiety disorder, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. A 30 percent rating was also granted for irritable bowel syndrome with chronic constipation from December 9, 2019.,The Veteran's claims were based on in-service acoustic trauma exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was dismissed. The Board also remanded the claim seeking an increased rating for status post left femur stress fracture.