Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability, including coronary artery disease (CAD), is at least as likely as not related to service. Similarly, his bilateral hearing loss is also found to be related to service. The Board granted both claims based on direct service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and sleep disorder (to include sleep apnea) due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eyesight disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a current disability that meets VA criteria or establishes a link to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting the VA definition of a hearing loss condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition, but his right shoulder disability may be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records from educational institutions and mental health providers to determine R.D.P.'s ability to support himself prior to age 18, as well as his eligibility for an apportionment of the Veteran's VA benefits.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. The hearing loss disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient medical evidence in the record to render a decision on these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence being added to the file, and the AOJ needs to review this evidence before making a decision.

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran's claims are inextricably intertwined, so the tinnitus claim is also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left lower extremity shin splints as there is no medical evidence showing a current disability or a link between his military service and these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability. The appeal will be reconsidered after obtaining such an opinion.

The Veteran's appeal with respect to bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. Service connection for low back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability is granted. A 70 percent rating is assigned for unspecified depressive disorder from March 24, 2017, to October 11, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The case will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's continuous symptoms since service meet the requirements for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of an informal claim prior to April 30, 2018.,His claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability is related to service. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition due to service. Additional medical records are needed, including from NASA, private doctors, and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons provided in previous decisions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically the comparison of audiological test results from February 2002 and July 2010. The case is now back with the Board for further consideration.