Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand several service connection claims due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's duty status and treatment records. The issues include allergic rhinitis, avitaminosis (secondary to IBS), dermoid cyst, bilateral hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome, left tympanoplasty, a back disability, and migraines.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right-ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left-ear hearing loss, finding that there was no current disability in either ear as defined by VA standards.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The Veteran is also remanded for further examination regarding his fibromyalgia and rectal bleeding conditions.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran's claimed hearing loss, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, or rectal bleeding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spinal stenosis, COPD, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence added to the record.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection and rating for various disabilities, as well as the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a heart disorder, head tremors, and a nerve disorder due to insufficient evidence or procedural deficiencies.

The Veteran's appeal of the effective date for tinnitus is dismissed. The claim to reopen his pneumonia service connection is granted, but the case is remanded for further development on all issues.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The case of bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is remanded for further development.

Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for lumbosacral strain (low back pain).

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the lack of audiometric data from his last evaluation and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a new VA examination due to inadequate previous examinations and potential lack of notice regarding the scheduled appointment. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for his bilateral hearing loss disability, but the matter must be returned for further action.

The Board has determined that the reduction in VA disability compensation benefits during a period of incarceration from August [REDACTED], 2018, through November [REDACTED], 2018, was improper and has granted restoration of full VA disability compensation benefits for this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss under 38 U.S.C. chapter 17 was denied due to his failure to report for a VA examination, and the Board finds that this denial is based on a procedural error related to scheduling an examination for an incarcerated veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, including hazardous noise exposure therein. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that it began during his military service and is due to acoustic trauma. The decision also notes that there are no intercurrent causes attributed to the condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and review due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current hearing loss and military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus should be remanded due to a lack of VA examination or opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no causal relationship between his current hearing loss and his active military service.