Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level II in the left ear and Level II in the right ear, which equates to a 0 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6100. The Board finds that the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are not met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA opinions and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for such a rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, right wrist condition, and left wrist condition due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain a VA opinion as instructed in an earlier remand. The Veteran's hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, lung conditions, and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination reports and failure to provide substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right hip disorder, dizziness, right shoulder disorder, and groin pain due to lack of examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 50 percent since November 26, 2019. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not support an increase in disability warranting such.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of left ear hearing loss due to potential aggravation by service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and ischemic heart condition are being reviewed again.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to noise exposure during service. The August 2021 VA examination did not address the Veteran's contentions regarding delayed onset hearing loss, and a new opinion is needed from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions alone. Additionally, the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC based on housebound status due to his 100% service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability, left wrist disability, neck disability, and left shoulder disability. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions is not supported by evidence of record.

The appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed as moot.,Service connection granted for tinnitus, with the Veteran having a current diagnosis and in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a ruptured ear drum, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and an LCL injury with residuals have been dismissed. The claim for OSA has been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and pterygium conditions have not been rated as compensable. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for these conditions.,The Veteran's left knee, right knee, low back, and lower extremity neurologic disabilities are all remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his TDIU claim is remanded for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and chondromalacia of the left knee due to the death of the Veteran.