Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia, periodontal disease with gum recission, and fibrocystic breast disease were dismissed due to her withdrawal of these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a qualifying hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria at any time during or proximate to the appeal period.

The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for left and right leg disabilities as they have been granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete VA examination results, and the issue of service connection for cervical spine disability is remanded due to an inadequate opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure is presumed and his condition began during service. Service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board dismissed the issues of service connection for migraine headaches, respiratory conditions including sinusitis, and an increased rating for an inguinal hernia. The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss in that ear.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus was granted, but the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating or an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the receipt of additional VA clinical documentation that has not been reviewed by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and headaches have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since October 14, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU effective as of that date.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to procedural issues with the Notice of Disagreement form.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was granted a rating of 10 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection.,The Board found that the evidence supported reopening the claim for service connection due to new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, and ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left knee arthritis are granted service connection. The lumbar spine disability, right sciatica, left sciatica, and respiratory disability claims are denied. Service connection for coronary artery disease secondary to PTSD is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to in-service loud noise exposure and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, neck injury residuals, low back injury residuals, and right and left leg radiculopathy due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to the claimed disabilities until years after separation from active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and upper respiratory condition, to include chronic cough, due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a pulmonary disability, recurrent sleep disability, and bilateral hearing loss has been remanded due to insufficient development of evidence regarding his exposure claims. The Board also found the VA opinions inadequate and requested new opinions.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for a detailed audit and review of the overpayment due to his incarceration periods, as well as consideration of his request for waiver.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was resolved in full before his death. The downstream issue of the evaluation award is not appealable by the substitute and must be dismissed as a matter of law.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left ear hearing loss.