Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient examination opinions and missing records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not currently supported by evidence of a current disability.

Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, fatigue, left shoulder pain, right wrist pain, esophageal reflux, sleep disturbances, headaches, lung condition, hypertension, and heart condition are denied. A rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful scar on the left knee and a compensable rating for non-painful scars on the left knee is granted.

The Veteran's claim for high cholesterol is denied as it does not represent a disability for which service connection can be granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has been remanded on multiple issues due to inadequate opinions and need for updated examinations considering toxic exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinion regarding service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for tinnitus, left knee surgical scar, bilateral hearing loss, and right knee tendonitis need to be remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,A 40 percent rating for the low back disability from January 11, 2018 to November 2, 2022 was granted. However, a higher rating in excess of 40 percent since November 2, 2022 is not warranted.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that his hearing loss does not warrant a higher rating due to an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support entitlement to such.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, while his bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder are denied.,Service connection for the right elbow disability, left elbow disability, and back disability remains pending due to need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disability, right patellar plica syndrome, and right knee instability due to incomplete findings in previous examinations and failure to consider causation or aggravation by service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service hazardous noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is not before the Board, and a remand is required to associate an audiogram with his claims file. The right ear hearing loss rating remains remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension, claimed as high blood pressure, has been granted service connection due to herbicide agent exposure during active duty in Vietnam.,For the period prior to October 28, 2020, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not rated higher than 0 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the incorrect use of a modernized review system form. The AOJ must issue an SOC and allow for a timely substantive appeal if one is filed.

The Veteran's hearing loss and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity, are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically related to noise exposure during his National Guard service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Further review is needed for the right ear hearing loss and neck disabilities.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and TBI. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.