Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded, as well as his claims for a higher rating for mood disorder and TDIU. The effective date of service connection for a mood disorder associated with bilateral hearing loss has been granted.

The Board has dismissed service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and has remanded the issue of service connection for vertigo.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to attend a VA examination scheduled for his bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be evaluated on the merits using the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss was denied as the current severity of his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for varicose veins in the left leg was also denied. The evidence did not establish that the condition manifested persistent edema and stasis pigmentation or eczema, with or without intermittent ulceration.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development, including obtaining a new VA medical opinion and obtaining treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have onset in service, did not manifest within one year of separation, and is not otherwise etiologically related to his period of service. The evidence does not support a finding that the current hearing loss is related to military noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of the timeliness of his substantive appeal regarding reopening service connection claims for hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as it was not received within the required time frame.

The Board has remanded the claims for a neck disorder and hearing loss due to insufficient evidence in the record, including VA examination reports that are inadequate. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development, including verification of service dates and an examination by a clinician.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss is denied as he did not have a hearing disability at the time of his December 2016 claim. The claim for left ear hearing loss is granted as it is found to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The appeal regarding residuals of right wrist injury/surgery is REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left hip, right hip, and back disabilities is REMANDED.,PTSD ratings are also REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is currently assigned a 50 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss which has been effective since April 4, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active military service, including noise exposure. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing that his current disability began during or was aggravated by active duty. The gap in time between separation from service and initial treatment is significant, and there are no documented symptoms or diagnoses related to this condition until many years after service.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, neck disorder, and peripheral vestibular disorder due to incomplete development of records.

The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an audiologic examination.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to procedural issues, including the need to issue a statement of the case and advise the Veteran of his right to appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability that had onset in service or within one post-service year, and it is not related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 13, 2017 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The TDIU issue is remanded due to the need for additional development.