Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability due to unclear reasoning in the previous VA examination.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, as there are questions regarding whether he currently has a hearing disability in his right ear and if it is related to service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection claims and increased evaluation requests for various disabilities. The Veteran's appeal remains pending.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has found that the AOJ did not substantially comply with prior remand directives and requires addendum opinions regarding whether the Veteran's substance abuse disorder is at least as likely as not aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issue of service connection for a right foot disability, to include as secondary to service-connected back or left knee disabilities.

The Board has decided that the claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches, secondary to service-connected disabilities, needs further development due to insufficient medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Bilateral pes planus was pre-existing and did not worsen during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical strain, residuals of a head injury, and bilateral hearing loss due to procedural deficiencies. The Veteran's tinnitus and degenerative joint disease of the knees have been granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's disease and right ear hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure. The VA examiners are requested to provide additional opinions addressing whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, or directly related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing did not manifest in-service and was not aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus. The evidence showed no significant hearing changes during service and normal hearing for over 30 years after separation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which is to be addressed by a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has determined that the previous VA examination was inadequate and requires a new one to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss/tinnitus, skin cancer, scars, and headaches, have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment for the entire period on appeal. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss. The Veteran contends his hearing loss is related to military service, but there are conflicting reports about when he noticed hearing problems.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional examination.