Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and his PTSD with secondary alcohol use disorder was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent from February 13, 2009, to March 10, 2011. The Board has remanded the issues regarding service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and colon cancer (secondary to herbicide exposure).

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and right ear tinnitus, but granted service connection for left ear tinnitus. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not considered to be related to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection can be decided. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for consideration of all evidence, including VA treatment records.

The Board has found that further evidentiary development is required before the claims on appeal can be adjudicated, including a new VA examination for bilateral hearing loss and consideration of TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as of July 30, 2019 due to his service-connected major depressive disorder rated at 100%.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for heart condition, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The appellant's claims are pending as they relate to accrued benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disabilities are related to hazardous noise exposure during service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of continued hearing loss after service and that the Veteran's allegation of chronic hearing loss since his first period of active duty is not credible.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and an examination to assess the severity of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA and remanded the issue of a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for a left shoulder scar, a higher rating for the left shoulder disability, and a higher rating for the right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for hearing loss ratings is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the VA examination results and potential missing VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and its relation to service. The case will be returned for an additional VA examination and opinion.

The Board has found that further remand is required due to the need for VA examinations and retrieval of VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for cervical spine condition, bilateral knee condition, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension are all being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric disorder and physical conditions like right shoulder osteoarthritis, prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU rating based on the combined effects of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively due to Agent Orange exposure under the PACT Act. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and skin disorder are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating are remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations. The issues of tinnitus, vertigo, and left ear hearing loss are inextricably intertwined with the issue of bilateral otitis media and externa.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and right ankle disability as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service noise exposure.