Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a more definitive opinion considering medical literature submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were dismissed. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus in January 2009, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for establishing a disability. The Veteran's claim was reopened for tinnitus but not for hearing loss.,For paraplegia, the Board found no evidence of its relationship to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need to obtain relevant records from SSA and conduct VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the causes of the Veteran's COPD, hepatitis C virus, and skin rash. The issues related to tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for a skin rash are denied as they did not manifest within one year of service separation or were caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left-hand disability, right-hand disability, left ankle disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain these records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are unavailable and new medical opinions are needed to address his claims for service connection. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 30, 2008, for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted. The claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left upper extremity vascular disease are remanded due to lack of evidence supporting their onset during service or otherwise related to service. Other claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits, and special monthly compensation (SMC). The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss from January 2012 to present.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss rating is being remanded due to the lack of a copy of the March 2015 audiometric testing.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was granted, but his claim for service connection itself remains denied.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, but his claim for service connection itself remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of entitlement to such ratings during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, lower right back scar, lupus, left elbow tendonitis, right elbow tendonitis, spine condition, and neck condition are all denied. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's service connection claim for lupus requires further investigation as private treatment records need to be obtained.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Both conditions are related to the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for contact dermatitis of the feet was denied, and his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and a fracture of the 11th and 12th right ribs were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support higher ratings based on the provided medical evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable (0%) since May 17, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on his hearing impairment.