Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease, with the latter being related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a cerebral vascular accident (CVA), and a disability other than radiculopathy manifested by numbness of the left lower extremity as secondary to a service-connected disability due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations in July 2023.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.,An effective date prior to December 17, 2017, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent since February 8, 2023. Prior to that date, a compensable rating was not granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with the latter being secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his disability level and symptomatology are reasonably described by the existing rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and headaches due to service connection. The VA is required to provide a VA examination and medical opinion considering the Veteran's participation in toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) during service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss and carpal tunnel syndrome. The remaining issues of service connection for a psychiatric disability (depression), erectile dysfunction, and hypertension have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and degenerative lumbar disc disease with herniated disc (lumbar spine disability). The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to unclear evidence regarding the appellant's capacity to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, specifically related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not directly related to service, but rather may be due to in-service noise exposure and treatment for ear infections. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the worst level of hearing acuity being Level II in both ears. The Board denied a compensable rating based on the current evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and further development is needed. The Veteran's vision, right ankle, left ankle, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension are all under review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and left ear hearing loss disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied, and the case is remanded to determine if a compensable rating should be assigned from January 12, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence and missing records. The issues include ear conditions, hearing loss, brain abscess, neuropathy of hands, feet, and legs, and tremors.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent prior to June 5, 2017, and remains at 10 percent thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to the lack of current diagnoses.,The Board has also remanded claims for bilateral hearing loss, skin disability, left shoulder disability, and right foot disability as there is insufficient evidence addressing their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, pes planus of the left foot, pes planus of the right foot, chronic bronchitis, and low back disability. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to active service.