Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II due to lack of a causal relationship between the conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, including VA examinations for his acquired psychiatric disorder, neck disability, low back disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, sleep apnea, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss (for VA purposes).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss began during active duty service and is related to his service, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level II in both ears at any time, and the criteria for an initial compensable rating have not been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The remand includes obtaining a new medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hearing loss and his military service, as well as ensuring that VA obtains any outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), right lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU claim for the period from February 13, 2018, to October 17, 2018.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims for various conditions and exposure to JP-4 jet fuel. The Veteran's right eye condition is reopened due to new evidence, but a VA examination is needed to adjudicate the claim. Other claims are also remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not caused by his military noise exposure.

The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Prior to August [REDACTED], 2016, the Board denied nonservice-connected pension benefits due to the Veteran's employment and net worth.,From August [REDACTED], 2016 to February 29, 2020, the Board granted nonservice-connected pension benefits as the Veteran met all criteria for basic entitlement.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to in-service noise exposure.,An acquired psychiatric disorder claim is remanded as the Veteran failed to report for a VA examination scheduled by the Board.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted a noncompensable rating prior to April 19, 2019. From April 19, 2019, to June 28, 2022, he received a 20 percent rating. Since June 29, 2022, his hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the service connection claim for a left knee condition due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset and relationship to active duty.,Veteran contends her left knee condition began during service, but post-service records show she underwent surgery.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his active service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. As such, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported noise exposure during military service and his current symptoms.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to the need for an in-person VA examination, given his incarceration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically for bilateral knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and cervical spine condition. The Veteran's claim for back condition is also denied.,Service connection was denied for all issues due to lack of credible evidence supporting in-service incurrence or aggravation of the conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The evidence did not show a current disability or link to service.,Tinnitus was granted as it is at least as likely as not related to military acoustic trauma during active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities, acquired psychiatric disorders including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's peripheral vestibular condition is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, warranting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's back disability was aggravated by his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.,The Veteran's headache disability was caused by his service-connected tinnitus.