Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension have been denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, while his hypertension remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as it is related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the absence of a current diagnosis. Service connection for tinnitus is granted as it is linked to active service exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the previous decisions. The Veteran's testimony at the August 2023 hearing is considered in the adjudication.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing impairment is at least as likely as not related to in-service exposure to hazardous noise.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to new and relevant evidence received.,Service connection for tinnitus on a presumptive basis as a chronic disease has been granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction, SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ (right ear), and service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the bilateral hearing loss claim due to insufficient evidence in the February 2015 VA opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain is granted. The Board found that the evidence was approximately evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's back disability is related to his active duty service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that both conditions began during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent from September 26, 2017 to November 7, 2022.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including post residual right foot neuroma, right foot hallus rigidus and bunion, and left first metatarsophalangeal joint disorder, is granted as service connected.,Chronic sinusitis with sinus headaches are granted under the PACT Act due to exposure to burn pits during service. Service connection for chronic sinusitis prior to the PACT Act's effective date remains remanded.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied as not being causally related to any disease, injury, or incident during service and did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for service connection purposes, and therefore, his claims for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, TBI, migraine headaches, and psychiatric disorder are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action regarding his claim of service connection for heart disease due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.,His other claims, including those for increased ratings and TDIU, are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating or eligibility for benefits under these criteria.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for a headache disorder due to lack of current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current disability.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to allegations of worsening and lack of recent audiometric testing. Further record development, including private treatment records, is needed.,The Veteran's back condition is being remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete evidence. The issues include lung conditions, skin conditions, sleep apnea, sinus/nasal condition, bilateral hearing loss, right knee condition, left knee condition, and bilateral foot condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and plantar fasciitis. The issues include increased ratings for PTSD, right shoulder impingement syndrome, lumbar strain, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing impairment warranted a higher rating.,The Board found insufficient evidence to support an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for right hand, left hand, and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not meet criteria for higher disability ratings.