Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence, particularly regarding the etiology and aggravation of the Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder by service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. Additional development is required, including a new VA examination and addendum opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling an audiological examination, and determining if the Veteran's inner ear or sinus problems are related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to January 5, 2015 and a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support earlier effective dates or a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but the case is dismissed because it was fully resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and anxiety, dysthymic disorder, and depression as components of service-connected PTSD. Service connection for hearing loss disability was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and opinion regarding service connection for asbestosis, COPD, and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to a lack of VA examination, as well as missing service records. The Veteran's noise exposure during service is conceded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, a psychiatric disability including PTSD and depression, and ED have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, the VA needs to verify in-service stressors related to the Veteran's psychiatric disability claim and obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development and an updated opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation of left ear hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity did not warrant a higher rating than noncompensable during the appeal period.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was caused by the August 2009 surgery, but it was not due to VA negligence or carelessness. The Board found that the risk of additional hearing loss during the surgery was foreseeable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the need for regular aid and attendance, as he is able to perform self-care activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to traumatic noise exposure during his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for right hand strain flexors is granted. The Veteran's hypertension issue has been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his VA Form 9 and continued under the recently enacted Appeals Modernization Act (AMA).

The Board has dismissed the appeals as to all service connection claims due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of sinusitis first manifested during active service and continues to this day. The other issues related to hearing loss and ankle disability were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and a TDIU were all denied. The decision found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.