Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current disabilities are not related to active duty service. The evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Board has ordered additional VA examination to assess the severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate opinion regarding aggravation of right ear hearing loss by service-connected peripheral vestibular disorder, chronic otitis externa, and tinnitus. The Veteran's representative argues for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable (0%) throughout the appeal period, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient examination reports addressing qualifying aspects of a 2006 IOM report and the Veteran's statements regarding noise exposure. The right knee disability claims are also being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss that meets VA criteria.,The Veteran's claim for vision impairment is denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for allergic rhinitis is denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for sinusitis is denied as there were no incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes within the past year.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the right hip disability, left hip disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but denied left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's miscarriage or residuals thereof are not considered a current disability.,Service connection is also denied for respiratory disorders and low back disorder, with the case being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 16, 2018, for a 20% disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The case is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Chronic disease, lumbosacral strain, right knee disability, migraines, tinnitus, scar, and hearing loss, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 12, 2019 and a rating in excess of 80 percent for bilateral hearing loss from December 12, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a RLE neurological condition has been reopened due to new evidence. The hearing loss and PTSD claims have been denied, while the TBI and related conditions (headaches) are remanded. The right knee and foot conditions remain in dispute.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are more likely than not related to her military service. The evidence supports a link between in-service noise exposure and the development of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was reduced from 10 percent to noncompensable, but the reduction was improper. The Board has restored a 10 percent rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability. The claim will be reviewed again with new evidence and a thorough examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for various conditions due to incomplete development of records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be reviewed again with an updated medical evaluation.