Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating during the period from September 5, 1991 to June 8, 1994. From June 8, 1994 forward, he is currently rated at 80 percent for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as her current hearing acuity does not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure. The weight of the medical evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's hearing loss disability was caused or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss and evidence does not support a relationship between left ear hearing loss and service.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability that meets VA criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if he meets VA criteria for a hearing loss disability. The left knee disability rating is also remanded due to an inadequate April 2018 VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spondylosis.,The Veteran's current complaints of right ear hearing loss symptoms during service, coupled with the presence of a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, warrant presumptive service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for residuals of right calf contusion and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, high blood pressure (hypertension), lumbar and lower back condition, vision and cataracts, and erectile dysfunction and sexual dysfunction.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the most persuasive evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's active duty service and his current hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a need to determine if the Veteran now has hearing loss and tinnitus for VA purposes, as well as whether these conditions began during service.

The Board has denied a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss and has remanded the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, while his left ear hearing loss remains unconnected to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and in-service noise exposure or tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disability, as well as assessing the current severity of his lumbar spine, lower extremity radiculopathy, back scars, and left ear perforated tympanic membrane.

The Board has remanded the issues of rating higher than 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 17, 2015 and effective date of June 17, 2015 for the award of a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of rating higher than 10 percent from June 17, 2015 forward is also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss, finding that there is at least approximate balance of evidence regarding continuous symptoms since active service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for OSA is dismissed due to the withdrawal by his attorney.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of hearing loss within one year after separation from service and it is not related to service.,Service connection for IHD remains denied as the Veteran's condition does not meet the criteria for chronic congestive heart failure, workload restrictions, or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes) is denied due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred in service and there are no complications requiring separate ratings.,The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to February 19, 2015, remains pending as the effective date has not been established.

The Board has ordered the remand of two issues: service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's representative argues that an addendum opinion is needed to address whether his delayed onset hearing loss should be considered.