Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's initial claim for a 20% disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The claims of service connection for back disorder and right ankle disorder have been reopened, but denied due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between the disorders and active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and service. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if his hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, and sleep apnea. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from November 30, 2021. The Veteran's claim for higher ratings prior to this date was denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of your claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as you have withdrawn it.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD from January 4, 2012 to February 17, 2015 and from June 1, 2015. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU during these periods.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to insufficient opinions regarding their service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss and rating of lumbosacral spine disability prior to February 8, 2021, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for these conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability may have worsened since the last VA examination, and a new evaluation is needed to determine its current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for left ear hearing loss and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Prior to June 5, 2023, the rating remained at 10 percent and from June 5, 2023, it was denied as his condition did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for a right hip disability, finding that the evidence is at least in balance as to whether it is related to his service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right knee disorder should be remanded to allow for proper procedural steps.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet decided whether they are well-grounded.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and recurring cysts. The VA has determined that new evidence supports reopening these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation. The Board also found conflicting evidence regarding when symptoms started.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression), osteoarthritis of the right ankle, osteoarthritis of the left ankle, and lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease are remanded. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.