Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam under the PACT Act. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and colon cancer are remanded as they do not meet the criteria for service connection based on the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are related to in-service noise exposure. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of current disability evidence, failure to report for VA examinations without good cause, and insufficient medical opinion regarding etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to lack of a timely substantive appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 24, 2020, was dismissed. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to October 14, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current ratable disability.,His right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for headaches and bilateral hearing loss, but granted service connection for hypertension secondary to a service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, but the hearing loss claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was reopened and granted. The eye and bowel disabilities are remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of various conditions, including left ankle condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left arm condition, episodes of visual loss (floaters), arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, headaches, and nerve damage is granted. The AOJ should arrange for VA examinations to determine the nature and likely cause of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not rated higher than noncompensable.,Service connection for a sinus disorder has been granted, but the right eye disorder remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being reviewed again as they may be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between her current hearing loss and her military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that his reported stressors during service are sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss disability is denied due to lack of current evidence meeting VA criteria for a disability. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shin splints is remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis has been granted as a presumptive disability under the PACT Act due to exposure to burn pits and other toxins during his active duty.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because there is no evidence of current hearing loss disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of the claimed conditions, and the Board dismissed these issues.