Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to August 2, 2018 and a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not file his claim within one year of the March 2016 denial, making the earlier effective date inadmissible. Additionally, the Veteran's current hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran does not have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his left ear hearing loss is not related to his Reserve service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection. Ratings for chondromalacia of the right and left knees are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50% and has been granted a higher rating to 70%. The effective date remains pending.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied.

The Board has remanded several issues due to additional VA records being added to the file. The Veteran wishes for these records to be reviewed by the AOJ before further consideration.

The Veteran's migraine headaches associated with TBI are rated at 50 percent effective April 15, 2022. The rating is granted for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral lung disorder, finding no evidence of current disabilities or causation related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria.,The decision also noted that the Veteran did not have a significant shift in hearing during service or reports of tinnitus at separation from service.

Service connection is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis, left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle tendonitis, right ankle tendonitis, left hip trochanteric pain syndrome and iliopsoas bursitis/tendinitis, and right hip trochanteric pain syndrome and iliopsoas bursitis/tendinitis.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided the TDIU claim and is remanding other service connection and rating issues for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for scoliosis of the lumbar spine and spinal stenosis (including sciatica).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and initial ratings for lumbosacral strain and left knee strain with chondrocalcinosis and degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to potential issues with the VA examination provided, particularly regarding the Veteran's exposure to noise in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the complexity of the issues.,No new or material evidence was presented, so no changes in rating were granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a skin condition due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's presumptive toxic exposure during service is also being considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded as there is no evidence supporting in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and cirrhosis of the liver, as well as the claim for TDIU due to unresolved issues regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions and verification of his claimed exposures in service.