Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The decision is based on medical opinions provided by a VA examiner and a private physician.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and service-connected disabilities have not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 16, 2022 or entitlement to TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if there are any related disabilities, their relationship to his service-connected hearing loss, and the appropriate rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent. The claims of entitlement to a compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss, service connection for left ankle condition, and service connection for left foot condition are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for right ear hearing loss as new and material evidence was not received, despite the Veteran's belief that his hearing loss is related to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bone condition secondary to left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, tendonitis, ear condition (secondary to bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus), sleep disorder (other than sleep apnea), and left knee disorder. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that this rating is not appropriate given his specific hearing acuity levels.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent from August 23, 2022. The Board denied a higher rating for the condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right middle finger fracture and right ear hearing loss, finding no current diagnosis or evidence of in-service injury. The case is remanded for further examination to determine if there are any current disabilities related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left ear hearing loss due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including his testimony at a Board hearing. The claims are being reviewed again as new medical opinions are needed regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to an inadequate VA examination and a need to determine which standard was used in the in-service audiograms.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is a reasonable possibility of their occurrence due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of definitive medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran needs to provide copies of relevant medical articles.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to conflicting medical evidence and need for additional examination.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of a left eyebrow scar, right ear hearing loss disability, and low back disability due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to issues with service connection data conversion, as well as consideration of a study submitted by the Veteran regarding noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss.