Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in the August 2016 rating decision. The Board has decided to remand this matter due to concerns about the current evidence and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacies in a previous VA examination, requiring a new one to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the Board finding that it had its onset in service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to incomplete personnel records and a need for an additional VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted an initial increased rating of 30 percent effective October 24, 2018. The Board also remanded the issues for a higher rating prior to and after this date.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral dysfunction, service connection for hypertension, left knee disability, psychiatric disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and left ear hearing loss are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded as the examiner did not address whether in-service elevated blood pressure readings could have been an early manifestation of later diagnosed hypertension.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is remanded because the VA examiner did not consider objective signs and symptoms of his left knee complaints, including a history of left knee sprain from employee health clinic records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded as the VA examiner did not address the Veteran's VA treatment records which show treatment for adjustment disorder, depression, and anxiety during the period on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded due to incomplete medical records from his private podiatrist being sought.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded as VA treatment records are needed to determine if an audiogram conducted by the Veteran's private physician, Dr. N.A.O., around April 2010 exists.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches from September 22, 2014 is remanded as updated employment records are needed to determine missed time due to migraines and the Social Security Administration records have not been obtained.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as his July 2020 Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability raised this issue.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the remand requests and thus, this claim must again be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disorder and left ear hearing loss are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a disease or injury during service that resulted in additional disability.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives and inconclusive medical opinions. The case is being returned for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or related to his active duty service. The Board found that the current hearing loss is not due to noise exposure during service and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial 10 percent rating for a painful abdominal scar, effective as of the date of decision.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for left ear hearing loss, lung disorder, hemorrhoids, right ear hearing loss, bowel disorder, testicle disorder, sinus disorder, back disorder, skin disorder of the feet and body, eye disorder, teeth disorder, and brain lesions were denied as there was no evidence to support these conditions or their service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for coronary artery disease and bilateral hearing loss are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo examinations and obtain additional medical opinions regarding his right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and respiratory condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between his military service and these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed fertility issues. The Veteran is not currently diagnosed with oligospermia or hypogonadism, and further examination is needed.