Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, with the left ear hearing loss disability being granted based on aggravation during active duty. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection has also been established for bilateral tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure and grants this claim. However, the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as a remand is required.

Service connection for tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for GERD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, anemia, insomnia, diabetes mellitus type II, anal cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral cataracts, rheumatoid arthritis of all joints, and left/right foot conditions are not related to her military service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied. Service connection for GERD is granted, but the case is remanded to determine if OSA was caused or aggravated by PTSD and whether medications prescribed for PTSD aggravate OSA.

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 related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, left knee, and right knee conditions as well as bilateral hearing loss due to potential issues with etiology opinions. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cold injury residuals and PTSD, resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance due to physical limitations.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with your claims as they are no longer valid.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral acoustic trauma residuals of pain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting the definition of a VA compensation disability.,The Veteran's foot condition, diagnosed as left foot plantar wart, and back condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's migraines (claimed as secondary to TBI) and cysts are also remanded for further evaluation.,No service connection is granted for any of the conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity has been manifested by Level I in each ear, which corresponds to a 0 percent disability rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased rating and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, bilateral knee disability, low back disability, and sinus/allergic rhinitis. The appeal for left ankle disability is remanded, as are those for bilateral knee disability and low back disability. The appeal for sinus/allergic rhinitis is also remanded.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, insomnia, and PFB has been dismissed as the Appellant withdrew these claims.,Service connection for a right shoulder disorder is denied. The Veteran did not have a current right shoulder disorder that was etiologically related to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding insufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable.

The Board has decided that service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the claim for degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine with spondylolisthesis is remanded due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a factual error in a previous VA examination and the need for a new VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to service, including noise exposure or injuries during service.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 5, 2020.