Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not develop during service and is not related to in-service noise exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran did not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was determined to have begun during service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim has been denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has already been granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not established due to lack of evidence showing a current disability within one year after service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service or secondary to a pre-existing condition. The Veteran needs an updated VA examination to address his reports of in-service onset of hearing loss.

The Board has determined that a more current VA examination is needed to rate the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability, as the most recent examination was conducted over five years ago and does not reflect the current level of disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable prior to April 12, 2019, and a rating higher than 10 percent thereafter. The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an eye disorder, finding no evidence of current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and deferred adjudication of the TDIU issue due to pending development.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they were granted in a March 2023 rating decision, which resolved the issues on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a keloid scar of the right neck, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to exposure to acoustic trauma during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and low back disability due to improper filing of a Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions with associated radiculopathies, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, tinnitus, right elbow lateral epicondylitis, right Achilles tendonitis, left and right lower extremity varicose veins, right thumb arthritis, right ear hearing loss, hemangioma of the left scalp, left thigh meralgia paresthetica, right foot metatarsophalangeal arthritis, and right foot scar, are found to be sufficiently severe to render him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background. As such, a TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, constipation, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD) due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and procedural issues, including a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him housebound or in need of regular aid and assistance.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of the VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability. The examiner is asked to provide a rationale for their etiology opinion, considering the Veteran's lay statements and objective audiology findings.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from June 30, 2011 to June 28, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a TDIU from October 8, 2013. The Veteran's disabilities meet the criteria for schedular consideration of a TDIU.