Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and neck disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The claims will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to the lack of a July 2020 audiogram and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left upper extremity disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence indicating that direct service connection may be applicable. The Veteran's reports about his symptoms will need to be considered in these cases.

The Board dismissed the appeals for an earlier effective date and increased rating as the appellant requested to withdraw these appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted with an effective date of September 14, 2016. A rating for the condition will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also grants the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but remands it due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's service connection, including for cervical spine injury residuals, lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity varicose veins, bronchitis, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and a right knee disability. The issues also include reopening of these claims based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss from October 14, 2014 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as it equated to at worst Level I hearing loss in the right ear and Level II hearing loss in the left ear.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity is no worse than Level I bilaterally.

The Board has remanded the cases of hearing loss and tinnitus for further development due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right elbow, and left elbow disabilities. However, it granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability prior to October 24, 2019 was denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability from October 24, 2019 onwards was also denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory condition, to include asbestosis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been granted service connection, but the appeal is for an increased rating. The Board finds that new evidence shows a worsening of his hearing loss and remands to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule him for an examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the VA medical examination provided in connection with the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss is inadequate. The Veteran's service records show a shift in his audiological test results between his entrance and exit examinations, which the examiner did not address. Therefore, the Board has decided to remand these issues for further evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, COPD, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to his failure to appear for VA examinations. The Board found that the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of tinea pedis, and there is insufficient medical evidence linking any right foot disability or hearing loss to service.

The Board has granted a 50% initial rating for PTSD, effective April 3, 2019. Other claims remain in appellate status.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.