Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of hearing loss during or within one year after service and concluding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not meet the VA standards for a diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claims for sleep condition other than obstructive sleep apnea, chronic headaches, lower back condition, bilateral knee condition, skin condition, and stomach condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence or inadequate opinions in previous examinations.,Further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, including whether they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, and right knee disorder due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate medical opinions. The case will be returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the effective dates are not specified.,Issues related to rating increases and earlier effective dates remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service. However, service connection for pulmonary embolism was denied as it is not considered an injury incurred during INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, and his partial colon removal (claimed as kidney stones) is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 7, 2022 was denied. From September 7, 2022 onwards, the Veteran is rated at 20 percent for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided that additional evidence was submitted and requires further review by the AOJ, including consideration of all evidence since the December 2018 Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinea cruris, bilateral foot tinea pedis, and bilateral hand tremor due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is requested to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for asthma, hypothyroidism, bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, migraine headaches, back disability, left knee strain, right knee strain, right knee recurrent subluxation, left knee recurrent subluxation, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the earliest effective date is December 19, 2016.,The Veteran's claims for asthma, hypothyroidism, bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, migraine headaches, back disability, left knee strain, right knee strain, right knee recurrent subluxation, left knee recurrent subluxation, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the earliest effective date is December 19, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder condition and sleep apnea. The remaining issues of service connection for arthritis of the bilateral feet, bilateral hearing loss disability, and respiratory disorder are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and secondary service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to his service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was related to his active service or his service-connected condition.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and remanded the remaining issues.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for various finger disabilities is being remanded to allow for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent disability rating for nocturnal periodic leg movements has been granted. The left ear hearing loss increased rating claim is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lower back disability is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has found that the VA did not obtain all necessary treatment records and remanded for further development. The Veteran's hearing loss and right foot injury claims are also being remanded due to incomplete evaluations.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sinus issues. The remaining issues, including infertility, jaw or nerve condition related to wisdom teeth removal, and right wrist issues, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was incurred in combat and the Board granted service connection for this condition.