Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, left and right hand disabilities, neck disability, right ring finger disability, and throat disability have been dismissed.,New evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for low back disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, erectile dysfunction, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and the need for a current VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that there are insufficient records to make a determination on the service connection claims for various disabilities. The Veteran's exposure history and prior service need further clarification, as well as additional medical opinions regarding peripheral artery disease and neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to a missing audiometry testing result from June 2010 and August 2010.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted a 40 percent rating, effective from the date of the July 2018 VA audiological examination. The increased PTSD rating remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his thoracic spine disability, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, left eye scar, right orbital fracture, sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran will not receive a rating for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his Lisfranc injury of the right foot.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy of the legs, loss of bladder control, and dizziness. The case is REMANDED for further examination and opinion.

An effective date of January 1, 2022, is granted for a 70 percent rating for PTSD with depression.,An effective date of September 17, 2022, is granted for a 60 percent rating for IHD.,No earlier effective date is granted for the award of a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss.,An effective date of January 11, 2010, but no earlier, is granted for service connection for a surgical scar associated with IHD.,An effective date earlier than August 10, 2022, is denied for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD is remanded due to the need to obtain inpatient treatment records from April 2017.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss and TBI are both remanded as VA has not made reasonable efforts to obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was granted as it is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss has been granted due to the submission of new evidence.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss have been remanded as there is a need for additional development.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has persisted, granting service connection for tinnitus. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion considering conceded noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is a result of his in-service noise exposure and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions began during the Veteran's active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease and bilateral hearing loss are not granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for stroke residuals with right-sided weakness is remanded, as well as his claim for service connection for eye condition to include cataracts and retinal pigment epithelium changes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petitions to readjudicate his previously denied claims for service connection due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss has been dismissed as the Regional Office granted it.,Left ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of current disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling VA examinations, and obtaining authorization from non-VA providers.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water and herbicide agents, including cardiovascular disabilities, kidney disability, bilateral hearing loss, and left distal fibular fracture residuals. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of opinion regarding the onset and continuity of symptoms, as well as the one-year post-service noise exposure requirement.