Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, effective October 2022. The Board found the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a lack of probative value in the VA examiner's opinion regarding its onset during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, type II due to a duty to assist error in prior VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no evidence of an exceptional disability picture or additional functional impairment that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss and initial rating for inguinal hernia disability have been granted. The hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, effective December 2, 2021.

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

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection and initial ratings for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left lumbar radiculopathy, right knee disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, and left elbow disability are denied. Service connection for major depressive disorder is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran contends that his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and liver cancer as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C. The decision also grants service connection for tinnitus, finding that it began during active-duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and knee disorders are related to his military service, but the claims for right and left knee disorders need further examination as they were not addressed in the initial decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the compensable rating for a metallic foreign body (FB) left 5th finger, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, sleep apnea, and sleep disturbance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C and residuals are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,New evidence has been received, but it does not change the current disposition of these claims.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus and hearing loss disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or actual hearing loss during service. The current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's testimony at his June 2023 Board hearing provided credible evidence of in-service noise exposure, which is sufficient to establish service connection for tinnitus. However, a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, while his back condition is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to active duty.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a skin disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability. Service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and adjustment disorder) is denied.,Service connection for the skin disability is established based on in-service exposure to sun and headgear restrictions.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for a scar on the back of the neck. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service. The VA will need to provide an addendum opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the appeal for service connection for right ear tinnitus was granted. The decision does not address specially adapted housing.