Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is not currently service-connected for any condition that could be related to his lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a vestibular disorder and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions are directly related to his military service or any other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's GERD, as the July 2021 VA examination is insufficient for adjudicative purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbosacral degenerative joint disease, tinnitus, right elbow degenerative joint disease, and others, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective August 13, 2021.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for a new VA medical opinion to determine if they are related to his military service, including exposure to loud noise as part of his MOS duties on naval vessels.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the previous VA examinations were inadequate. The Veteran was remanded to provide addendum opinions addressing his lay statements and service treatment records regarding in-service noise exposure and symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder and knee disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is more likely than not related to his in-service noise exposure during combat duty.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection was reinstated due to a timely filed request for extension of time, and his claims are now considered granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various arm, shoulder, hip, and knee disorders have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Board has also found that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation for some of the claimed conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether his current hearing loss disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The reopening of his claim for service connection for a bilateral loss disability is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, and he is now entitled to a 10% evaluation.,For the periods from May 2, 2018, to June 30, 2020, and beginning September 16, 2020, the Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran did not have current hearing loss as defined by VA compensation standards. The Board also found no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic hearing loss within one year post-service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria, and the evidence does not show a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for a right knee disorder and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of recent medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.