Hearing loss decisions — 2023

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Herpes Simplex II, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Dermatosis, Hand Tremors, Fibromyalgia, or Restless Leg Syndrome. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is also denied as there is no evidence of hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric condition to include PTSD, IBS, and a headache condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and service. The claim will be reviewed again with an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran experienced ringing in his ears during service and it has continued since then, supporting a finding of continuity of symptomatology. For bilateral hearing loss, the Board remanded to obtain an adequate opinion regarding its onset and relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was dismissed because he failed to provide the necessary information and documentation as requested by VA, resulting in his abandonment of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, and his employment difficulties are attributed to non-service connected factors.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 1, 2014. The issue of TDIU is denied as the evidence does not show that his disabilities preclude him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not result in total occupational and social impairment, resulting in a denial of a rating in excess of 70 percent. From May 16, 2019 to October 1, 2021, the issue of TDIU was moot as he had a maximum schedular rating (100%). From October 1, 2021 onwards, TDIU was denied.

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

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim regarding the reduction of his disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to noncompensable effective May 1, 2019. The AOJ needs to review this issue again and consider any new evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right forearm disability, and disability of digits IV and V of the right hand are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and back disability are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure, as the Veteran's description of his post-service noise exposure is unclear. The VA needs to clarify this information and provide an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with no worse than a Level II hearing loss in each ear. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,Service connection is granted for the lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. Service connection is also granted for the cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to inadequate opinions provided in previous evaluations. The case is now before the Board again for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims was caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability has worsened, but the claim is remanded as he missed his scheduled VA examination due to hospitalization.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service exposure to hazardous noise.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD due to inadequate development of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic low back strain. The cases of left knee condition and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to insufficient evidence.