Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these disorders are related to military service.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for additional development, including increased ratings for PTSD and TBI-related cephalgia, as well as service connection claims. The Veteran's mental health records are incomplete, and a new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for service connection of low back disability and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for TDIU due to untimely filing of substantive appeals.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's PTSD, including a rating in excess of 70 percent and an earlier effective date. Other claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and total disability based on individual unemployability are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an eye disorder, a heart disorder, joint and muscle pain, and hearing loss as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis due to insufficient opinions in the VA examinations.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss has been granted. Service connection for heart disease is granted under the PACT Act, but the case is remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for other conditions (HTN, left ear hearing loss, gout in joints, and spinal stenosis) is also remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. Effective dates of June 23, 2017 have been granted for service connection awards for bilateral flat feet, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed hearing loss disability, including his in-service noise exposure. The Veteran will need a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder strain, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal for a recurrent gastrointestinal disability to include GERD, diverticulitis, colon polyps, and an undiagnosed illness claimed as the result of exposure to burn pits in Southwest Asia is remanded.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for left ear hearing loss prior to October 21, 2022, and bilateral hearing loss beginning October 21, 2022, were denied.,For the period prior to October 21, 2022, the Veteran was not granted a higher rating for his left ear hearing loss disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for melanoma. The decision found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service, or within the applicable presumptive period, and that the Veteran did not have continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a need for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's hearing loss, as his current audiometric measurements do not meet criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye condition, elevated lipids, and elevated prothrombin time have been denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for right knee, left knee, right foot, left foot, bilateral hearing loss, ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy, and abdominal scarring due to ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition, left knee condition, right foot condition, and left foot condition have been remanded. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy, and abdominal scarring due to ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and acquired hearing loss disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there are incomplete records and unclear opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims due to the passage of time since his last VA examinations, outstanding medical records, and incomplete treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for anxiety with depression, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claim for tinnitus is granted as it likely began during service, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim is denied as there is no current disability meeting the VA compensation criteria.,Left ear hearing loss has been granted service connection based on in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has denied service connection for lower lumbar condition, upper respiratory condition, and hearing loss. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of frostbite of bilateral hands.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and stroke. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active service.,Specifically, there was no in-service injury or disease linked to the Veteran's current disabilities, and the evidence did not establish continuity of symptomatology since service.