Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, which are claimed as related to his service. The VA will obtain updated treatment records and personnel records, and provide the Veteran with a new examination by an otolaryngologist.

The reduction of the 90 percent rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss to 40 percent was proper. The claim for restoration of the 90 percent rating is denied. Entitlement to an increased evaluation in excess of 40 percent prior to December 16, 2021, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Entitlement to a TDIU is also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the absence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.,The Board has remanded the claims for right hand condition and anal prolapse, as additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for COPD, and service connection for residuals of a right leg injury. The Veteran will need to provide medical records from various providers and VA facilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded and requires additional development.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee condition have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for PTSD. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and left knee conditions are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, headaches, and sleep apnea are remanded as further medical examination and opinion are needed.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and evaluation due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,Regarding the right shoulder disability, the claim is being remanded due to incomplete examination report.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and disability ratings for various conditions, including low back condition, right tibia fracture residuals, bilateral hearing loss, liver disease, headaches, PTSD, TDIU, IBS, and an effective date for IBS. The remand includes obtaining reserve records, psychiatric examination reports, and sending a copy of the July 2016 Statement of the Case to the Veteran.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral and right ear hearing loss due to a lack of examination. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no current evidence of a hearing impairment for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's sleep related disability, to include sleep apnea, is denied as the medical evidence does not establish an in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's gout is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service incurrence and it did not manifest within one year post-service.,The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service incurrence and it did not manifest within one year post-service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as service connection was not established due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to military service.,Obstructive sleep apnea and pseudofolliculitis barbae are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service, including exposure to noise. The claimants were advised that they could resubmit their claims if new evidence is provided.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss due to the need for updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the May 2014 rating decision denying these conditions was final due to an untimely NOD. The earliest available effective dates are the date of receipt of the new claim, which is May 23, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to new evidence added to the record since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for an acquired mental health disorder (including PTSD and insomnia disorder) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for a left knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the issue.,Service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the issue.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for bilateral blepharitis is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for a headache disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and ankle disabilities due to outstanding records and need for additional medical opinions.