Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss and denied for right ear hearing loss. The claims for sleep apnea and migraine disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration due to new evidence added to the record since the last decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, malignant neoplasm of the larynx with residual chronic laryngitis, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 13, 2014. The Board granted an extraschedular TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's appeal for hearing loss was dismissed as he withdrew the appeal and requested satisfaction with other granted claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea disorder, and prostate disorder have been denied. The claim for service connection for hearing loss was not reopened due to the lack of new and material evidence.,The claims for service connection for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II (PACT Act), hypertension (PACT Act), an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea disorder, and prostate disorder have been granted. These issues are granted pursuant to the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act of 2022 (PACT Act).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The VA determined that the current assigned ratings are appropriate based on the objective audiometric test results.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss as of January 29, 2018, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are inextricably intertwined with his claim for a rating increase for his back disability. Therefore, these issues have been remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's left shoulder and left knee disabilities remain denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and disability ratings on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI remains denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete compliance with previous directives and for further evidentiary development, including verifying the Veteran's periods of service and updating his address.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a lower and upper back condition have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals through his representative.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the right ear hearing loss and its relationship to the service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining outstanding medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder other than hypertension and right ear hearing loss, finding no current disability or link to active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, to include degenerative changes and strain, is denied as not service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's left hip disability is remanded for further evaluation.