Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing the presence of a current disability. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted as there is continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection for a right knee disability is remanded and requires additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from Jackson, Mississippi, and any outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss was reopened and granted. The claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss was not reopened.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and failure to obtain clarification from a private audiologist regarding the use of the Maryland CNC Test. The Veteran's hearing loss is considered for VA purposes, but the adequacy of the 2018 VA examination needs to be evaluated.

The Veteran's mixed sleep apnea is granted as a MUCMI. The right knee, bilateral hearing loss, and psoriasis disabilities are denied due to lack of current diagnoses. The low back and left knee disabilities are also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and has been granted.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including strain, is related to service and has also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted with a rating of 70 percent effective September 25, 2019. Other conditions have been granted as well.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the most recent audiometric evaluation showing thresholds that do not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability have been reopened. However, the Board finds that there is no evidence to support service connection for any of these conditions.,Service connection was denied as there is insufficient evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for a fracture of the left 4th metacarpal and TDIU have been remanded due to additional evidence being added to the record after the last decision. The Board will issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of low back disability was granted. Service connection is also granted for this condition. The claims for varicose veins of the left lower extremity and left ear hearing loss are dismissed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the inextricability with his pending hearing loss claim. The prostate cancer service connection claim has been granted, and thus no longer on appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has determined that he is entitled to this benefit based on in-service noise exposure. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability at the time of the prior denial, but recent medical opinions have established that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability, left ear hearing loss, and denied service connection for a perforated eardrum. The issues of entitlement to service connection for flat feet (pes planus), sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, a left ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was productive of mild hearing acuity in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and consideration of lay statements. The Veteran's knee conditions may be related to service, but a new VA opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the cases of left ear hearing loss, sleep disorder, and eye disorder for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's attorney is still represented by the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, as well as his claim for service connection for right ear tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded due to uncertainty regarding his exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam.,For the period prior to March 13, 2021, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. From March 13, 2021 onwards, a 20 percent increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment for the period since August 1, 2005.