Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for mononucleosis with secondary hepatitis was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for a left lower extremity circulatory disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his substantive appeal was not timely filed, based on the presumption of regularity and lack of evidence to rebut it.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively associated with his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in the Vietnam War. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's condition had its onset during his military service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the Veteran's perforated right ear drum, hearing loss, and pain as a result of VA medical treatment in December 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records not previously considered by the AOJ.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, but the claims are still pending as they were remanded due to need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete treatment records, invalid test results from a previous VA examination, and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral hip disorder and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient examination findings and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 6, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran was capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his history, education, skill, and previous work experience.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is currently receiving a 0 percent disability rating for this condition, and further examination is needed to determine if he should receive a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since January 18, 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically whether it is related to service or noise exposure.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for tinnitus as there is no longer a case or controversy. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim was granted, with all reasonable doubt resolved in his favor. Service connection for left knee and left eye disabilities are remanded due to insufficient VA opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The diabetes mellitus type II claim has been withdrawn from appeal.,The acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder) and bilateral knee and leg disorder claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.,The bilateral hearing loss claim is also remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete audiogram records and inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin cancer treatment.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to military noise exposure during active duty.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's heart disability is granted as service-connected. The spine and right ear hearing loss claims are remanded for further examination.