Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is not related to his military service and was not shown as chronic in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right wrist disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and headaches have been denied. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional evidence and determine the appropriate rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and respiratory disorder was denied. For bilateral hearing loss, the Board found that a compensable rating is not warranted based on VA audiological evaluations conducted in August 2015, August 2016, and January 2023. For respiratory disorder (Pulmonary Hypertension), the Veteran's claim was denied as there was no clear etiology for his disease due to lack of objective findings supporting asbestos exposure or other potential causes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral spine were not rated higher than the current levels. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to a TDIU based on these conditions alone.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining service personnel records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disability, low back disability, headaches, and stroke. The TDIU claim will also be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, as well as increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (back disability), were all denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The decision found that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss disabilities to a degree warranting VA compensation.

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues with the qualifications of certain VA examiners and because a decision on the PTSD rating could impact the TDIU claim.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 29, 2018. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU from March 29, 2018 was dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding his bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease. The compensable rating for his hearing loss is also remanded.

The Veteran's hearing loss, noted at entrance into service, worsened during service and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that the increase in severity was due to the natural progress of the disease. The Veteran's current hearing loss is related to the in-service aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) during the appeal period. The Board found that the Veteran was gainfully employed throughout the appeal period and did not have sufficient evidence to grant TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous instructions. The Veteran's vertigo is being reviewed for service connection, including secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are related to his military service. The Veteran was not given a chance to undergo a VA examination, so he should be provided with another opportunity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the symptoms are not due to an undiagnosed illness.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is remanded as further medical examination is needed to determine their etiology.,Service connection for fibromyalgia and restless leg syndrome is also remanded as further medical examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss due to an inadequate addendum medical opinion. The examiner found no current hearing loss disability and opined that it was less likely than not caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss since February 20, 2014, was denied. The issue of an increased initial rating for lumbar spine disorder and associated radiculopathy issues is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to her noise exposure during active duty, while her hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA standards.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee strain is dismissed.,Service connection granted for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected left knee strain, and right knee disability and lumbar spine disability are also granted. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.,A remand is ordered for a determination on the Veteran's claim of an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been granted and a noncompensable rating was assigned effective November 19, 2019. As the appeal is moot due to the grant of benefits, the case is dismissed.