Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has granted readjudication of the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial. The claims are pending further review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since the last assigned rating, and he is seeking a higher rating. The VA examination conducted in June 2021 was inadequate due to incomplete explanation of why speech discrimination scores could not be obtained for the left ear.

The Veteran's request for higher-level review of his claims was timely filed. The AOJ must now review the underlying claims and provide a decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, right ear hearing loss, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are granted. The claims for hypertension and coronary artery disease are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and sleep apnea due to new evidence received since the last denial. The claims are now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, sinus disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, bowel disorder, headaches, enlarged prostate disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The claim for service connection for a skin disability has been remanded.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected, while his right ear hearing loss remains denied.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for complications resulting from dental surgery is remanded due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.,Service connection for stroke residuals secondary to dental surgery and/or TBI is remanded as the evidence is insufficient to determine causation.,Service connection for ataxia secondary to TBI and/or stroke residuals is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected conditions.,Service connection for vertigo secondary to dental surgery and/or TBI is remanded because of incomplete records and need for a VA examination.,Service connection for bilateral eye condition secondary to TBI is remanded as the evidence is insufficient to determine causation.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 40 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss because the RO improperly reduced it.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating prior to October 13, 2020 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, neurological conditions, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. However, due to insufficient medical evidence to decide the claim, the Board has remanded it for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal conditions have been granted based on chronic wear and tear in service.,Bilateral hearing loss was not established for VA purposes.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of tinnitus and the denial of service connection for right shoulder, right ankle, and right wrist disabilities are being remanded. The issue of TDIU prior to August 3, 2019 is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for clarification on the speech discrimination test standard used in April 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate statement of reasons or bases in denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran had additional periods of active duty service, and a VA medical opinion is required that takes into account the entirety of his service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to his dementia and subsequent death.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his right ear hearing acuity results in no worse than Level VI hearing and his left ear hearing acuity results in no worse than Level IX hearing. The current rating of 40% is appropriate based on the audiometric test results.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including right and left ear hearing loss, a left ankle disorder, right shoulder impingement syndrome, left shoulder impingement syndrome, a right hip disorder, a left elbow disorder, headaches, and anxiety. The appeals were based on the Veteran's contention that these conditions are related to her military service.