Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Board finds that service connection for low back disability, left shoulder arthritis, and right shoulder arthritis has not been met due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

For the period from January 28, 2017 to October 23, 2018, the Veteran's hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent.,For the period beginning October 24, 2018, the Veteran's hearing loss disability was rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran contends that his current hearing loss disability stems from in-service noise exposure, but the VA examiner concluded it is less likely than not incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a skin condition including skin cancer, and a right knee disability. The Veteran's claim of service connection for benign neoplasms of the gynecological system or breast (claimed as lipomas over body) is also remanded.,Service connection was not granted for heart disease due to an insufficient medical opinion addressing the Veteran's Reserve periods.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the VA examination, specifically regarding the Veteran's hearing loss during service and the adequacy of whisper tests used.

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

The claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder is remanded. The appeal for bilateral hearing loss and right wrist disability rating higher than 10 percent is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for new VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral tinnitus and hearing loss are pending.

The Veteran's disability rating for hearing loss was restored to 20% effective June 7, 2005.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of service connection for hypothyroidism, a heart condition, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, depressive disorder, and headaches are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection for hypertension is granted as secondary to the service-connected depressive disorder. Service connection for a jaw disability remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability from March 18, 2020 is denied as the evidence does not show a more severe hearing disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure during his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with the Board finding that his current level of impairment does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 3, 2019, finding that he was capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service.,The Veteran's left hip disability pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has denied an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD and remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss and skin disorder (eczema).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was denied, and his evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 5, 2018 was also denied.,For the period from November 5, 2018 onwards, the Veteran's evaluation for bilateral hearing loss remained at 20 percent.