Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied them on their merits. The case is remanded to provide an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to attend a requested VA audiology examination. The AOJ is instructed to provide another opportunity for the Veteran to participate in an examination and, if necessary, seek a new opinion based on a review of the relevant medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as major depressive disorder, is granted service connection. The Board also remanded several issues related to secondary service connection for bilateral nerve damage condition of lower extremities, traumatic brain injury, bilateral nerve damage condition of hands, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the inadequacy of the May 2014 VA examination, requiring a new one that addresses the Veteran's lay statements regarding noise exposure and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The claims are being returned for further development including obtaining medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to various issues, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal is also remanded for clarification on the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for mastoiditis has been reopened, but the appeal is granted only to that extent.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to November 10, 2014 are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, and a right foot disorder were denied as the evidence did not establish a nexus to service. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The rating assigned of 60 percent from August 20, 2020 is the highest available under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete factual history and need for additional evidentiary development.

The Veteran's hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism is granted a 30 percent rating, effective December 1, 2017. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The appeal to reopen the service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's right thumb disability results in painful limitation of motion and has been rated at 10% since March 2, 2010.

The Board has remanded the cases for further evaluation due to additional VA records and a need for a VA foot examination conducted by a medical doctor.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability. However, it denied a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between in-service noise exposure and later diagnosed hearing loss.