Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's sleep disorder, to include sleep apnea, is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. His left ear hearing loss is granted a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as he does not suffer from this condition.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied because the pre-existing condition did not worsen during service and post-service acoustic trauma caused any additional hearing loss.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence showing a worsening of the condition during service, with post-service acoustic trauma being the cause of any current hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his left arm disability is denied as there was no aggravation beyond its natural progression by his service-connected thumb disability.,Service connection for the Veteran's left hand disability is granted based on continuity of symptoms since service, with the condition being related to his service-connected thumb disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability. The issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inability to conduct VA examinations for his bilateral hearing loss and left knee disabilities. The examinations were rescheduled multiple times, but the Veteran was unable to attend.

The Board has dismissed the service connection for hypertension and denied the service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current hearing loss is not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been remanded due to procedural issues. A SOC must be issued and the Veteran must either perfect his appeal or opt into the AMA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar strain rating was granted at 40 percent prior to February 26, 2018, but not higher. The shin splints of the left leg rating was denied. Other conditions like bilateral hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, scars, and cellulitis also had their claims denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss and hypertension have been denied, while his knee disabilities remain under review.,Service connection for the Veteran's left toe condition (gout), diabetes (due to service-connected hypertension), and right knee osteoarthritis with subluxation are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the last Statement of the Case (SOC). The AOJ must review this new evidence before a decision can be made.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current hearing loss and his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current nature and severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran must be provided with updated medical records, lay statements, and a VA examination to determine if his hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The initial rating for residuals of peritoneal adhesions is granted at a 30% level, but the case regarding psychiatric disability and TDIU remains pending.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate VA opinion and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and irritable colon syndrome. The increased rating claim for residuals of left tibia fracture is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, but no higher, and a TDIU is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for various conditions including bladder disorder, migraine disorder (claimed as light sensitivity), eye disorder, skin disorder, toenail disorder, fingernail disorder, impotency, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and loss of sensation of the upper and lower extremities. The claims are being remanded due to failure to provide VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of syncope and sleep apnea secondary to service-connected disabilities, as well as the SMC claim based on need for aid and attendance. These matters are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran will need a VA examination for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. The rating for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded.