Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board denied the veteran's claim for VA home loan guaranty benefits due to lack of qualifying service. The veteran also had a previously denied claim for bilateral hearing loss, which was not reopened.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for both the hearing loss and psychiatric disorder claims, as new examinations are required to determine if there is a current disability related to service.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation based on VA's tables for rating hearing loss disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease. The appeal regarding the right foot condition is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions provided.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, benign prostatic hypertrophy, prostatitis, hypertension, depression, hypothyroidism, anemia with iron deficiency, sleep apnea, upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, are all denied.,No evidence of in-service injury or disease is found to be related to the Veteran's current conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being reviewed again with additional evidence from his service records, particularly those from his Army Reserve service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective December 9, 2021. Other claims related to Parkinson's disease are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remand have been addressed. The hearing loss claim is denied, the right foot disability claim has been granted with a 10% rating, and both knee issues are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss remains denied, and his tinnitus is granted. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss remains denied, and his tinnitus is granted. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss remains denied, and his tinnitus is granted. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of a claim prior to February 24, 2020.,The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss was denied due to the average puretone threshold being at Level II (noncompensable).,Service connection for esophageal disorder and IBS were denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and service.,Service connection for a back disability, right shoulder disability, respiratory disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder were granted.

The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss remains denied, and his tinnitus is granted. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran. Service connection for headaches is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The claim for a respiratory disability (originally claimed as sarcoidosis) was reopened, but the service connection for COPD remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence supports a finding of in-service onset and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss, and the Board dismissed the case.