Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an examination. The issue of reopening the claim has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for audiometry test results.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's appeals for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and SMC based on deafness of both ears have been denied. The appeal seeking TDIU prior to August 7, 2017, and DEA benefits has also been remanded.,The Veteran's appeals are pending as the Board is awaiting a decision in his separate AMA appeal for increased initial disability ratings for left and right knee disabilities.

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

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable rating has been denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The decision on bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level III in the right ear and no worse than Level III in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment status and his ability to work with his service-connected disabilities. The case is returned for further development.

The Veteran's case is being remanded due to the need for a missing audiogram from his November 2022 hearing evaluation. The rating for left ear hearing loss remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete audiometric test results.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no probative evidence of a current disability in either ear.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and low back disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and headache disability, as well as an increased evaluation for PTSD prior to August 5, 2019. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have started during service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been service-connected, but he seeks a higher initial rating. The Board finds the VA examination inadequate and remands for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, right knee disorder, and right hip disorder have all been denied. The Board found that there is no current disability meeting VA criteria for these conditions.,There are no indications of qualifying hearing loss or sleep apnea during service, and the persuasive weight of the evidence does not support a nexus between any of these conditions and military service.