Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical examination and opinions, requiring a new one.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination and reasoning. The Veteran contends that his hearing loss began during active duty and is related to noise exposure, but the VA examiner did not adequately address these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, migraine headaches (secondary to hearing loss and tinnitus), and unspecified depressive disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received after a previous decision. The Veteran's active service included time aboard an aircraft carrier where he served as a plane captain, exposed to noise from aircraft. Further examination is needed to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to this exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. Additional development is needed, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a new addendum opinion from the same VA examiner.

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

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied service connection for DMII was granted. The Board has determined that the Veteran should be scheduled for VA examinations and remanded for further development of his claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back pain, left ankle condition, tinea pedis, sinusitis, COPD, and DMII.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are remanded due to missing VA treatment records and the need for a VA examination. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied as it was not filed within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU and remanded his increased rating claims. The decision found insufficient evidence to show that the Veteran was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities during the appellate period.

The Board has determined that the claim of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss. The Board also finds that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's current left knee condition or PTSD are related to his military service, thus remanding these issues.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a back condition due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied as no new and material evidence was received.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss is related to service. The dental condition claim was denied as there is no evidence of trauma or disease other than periodontal disease resulting in missing teeth. Service connection for the cyst under testicles and right shoulder disability were not granted due to lack of current diagnoses. Bilateral hearing loss was remanded, with the Veteran's assertion that it is related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety; a left wrist condition; tinnitus; and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claims will be reviewed again with additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for emphysema is remanded due to insufficient evidence of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for liver cancer, as well as claims related to his death and various disabilities, were denied. The rating for diabetes mellitus was granted at a 40 percent level, but higher ratings are not warranted. Ratings for other conditions such as neurological impairments, tinnitus, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss were also denied.

The Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder has been granted initial and increased ratings from May 24, 2011, to April 22, 2014, and from April 23, 2014, forward. The remaining issues of hearing loss disability and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied due to the belief that he left his most recent job due to a whistleblower complaint. The Board found no evidence of such a claim being made by the Veteran.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and a new VA examination is needed to determine its current severity.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The claim is remanded for further adjudication.