Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's children are not eligible for accrued benefits as the appellant is not a valid claimant due to her age and status.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hearing loss claim should be remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the appeals for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, vision disability, hearing loss, and initial compensable rating for hypertension are timely. The claims will be remanded to further adjudicate these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete audiogram records and a need for a new VA examination. The special monthly compensation issue is not addressed in this decision as it would deprive the Veteran of certain appellate rights.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes during his active service or within one year after separation. The hypertension and erectile dysfunction claims are remanded to obtain medical records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, seizure disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea. The cervical spine disability is being remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence supporting a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's unauthorized non-VA medical expenses incurred at UAMC on July 3, 2018 were reimbursed because the treatment was for an adjudicated service-connected disability and the services were for emergency treatment of a condition that would have been hazardous to life or health if delayed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD is denied, and his claims for a higher rating for PTSD and service connection for bilateral hearing loss are both remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not worsen during his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities because he did not complete and return the necessary TDIU application, and there was insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions alone.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education, training, and work history.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss, as his current hearing loss does not appear to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for his operative scar, but a higher rating may be warranted based on further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and Crohn's disease due to inconsistencies in the opinions provided by VA examiners regarding the etiology of these conditions. The case is returned for further development, including obtaining additional service records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted. Claims for bilateral hearing loss and right eye disorder are remanded, as well as the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board has withdrawn the appeals for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for a left wrist ganglion cyst and for the grant of service connection for a left wrist scar.,The claims for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's hearing problems are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.