Hearing loss decisions — 2023

A 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted from February 25, 2019, to December 15, 2022.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his tinnitus is not related to service. The asthma claim was remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and asthma cannot be granted as there is no credible evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ear hearing loss, OSA, psychiatric disorder, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran's service records indicate he had noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar spine disability, right and left ear hearing loss, and other conditions are granted due to the presence of a current disability that is related to service. The additional period of active duty from June 2004 to September 2004 was confirmed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for residuals of a head injury including migraine headaches.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder, mild was granted a 70 percent rating. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent throughout the claim period.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional VA clinical records not being associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's OSA and bilateral hearing loss were not shown to be incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they linked to a presumptive exposure basis. The Board denied service connection for these conditions as the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, otitis externa, and a cervical spine disability due to incomplete information regarding his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The VA will obtain updated treatment records, verify the dates of service, and provide medical opinions on the etiology of the disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but denied service connection for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, skin rash, and hearing loss.

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

The Board denied service connection for a back disability in March 1999. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, with the latter being based on credible lay statements of in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new opinion on whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for further development, including service connection claims for various conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea, heart disease, and foot disabilities. The Veteran's STRs are unavailable, which may affect the adjudication of these claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his claims, granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD with other specified depressive disorder, but denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

Bell's palsy with right eye ptosis and sleep apnea service connection claims have been granted.,Bilateral hearing loss and hyperlipidemia service connection claims have not met the criteria for reopening.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not rated compensable, but his tinnitus has been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and panic/anxiety disorder), a low back disability, a left knee disability, a left shoulder/arm disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claim for right ear hearing loss remains denied.