Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiological evaluation results, specifically missing speech recognition scores from an August 2014 examination. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 1, 2021, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter is now pending again.

The Veteran's appeals for left and right knee conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The claims of bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, Depression, Anxiety), and lower back condition are remanded.

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

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or exposure to loud noises.

The Veteran's appeal for vision loss, left knee condition, left ankle condition, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability has been dismissed. The appeals for right knee condition, right foot condition, left foot condition, and low back condition (secondary to right knee, right foot, and left foot conditions) have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, abdominal muscle strain, right foot cellulitis, and disability manifested by memory loss due to insufficient evidence or need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to hearing loss is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the denial of the primary claim.,Service connection for GERD, lower back disability, and sleep apnea (claimed as sleep disturbances) are all remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and left hand disability, finding no evidence of current disabilities. The Veteran's major depressive disorder was rated as 50 percent prior to March 2, 2018, and 70 percent thereafter.,The VA remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the right ear hearing loss and a need for additional examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a chronic left eye disorder, and a chronic left foot disorder due to lack of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss worsened during his military service due to noise exposure.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to noise trauma sustained during service. Service connection is also granted for tinnitus. However, the right knee degenerative arthritis disease status post arthroscopy claim remains pending due to a need for additional examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding his claims of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU prior to July 19, 2022. The VA will obtain updated information about the Veteran's employment history.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right hand disability. The issues have been recharacterized to include any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for any period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has never shown a value higher than Roman Numeral II on Table VI, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.