Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate rationale in the addendum opinion provided by the VA examiner. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is being reviewed again for a more detailed explanation of its etiology.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability has been granted. Service connection is also granted for tinnitus. The Board has found the evidence insufficient to determine whether the Veteran's current cervical spine and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are related to service, or if they are caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability. Therefore, these claims have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted prior to August 14, 2014. The Board finds the Veteran unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate rationale in a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete compliance with the December 2021 remand directives, including seeking clarification from the private audiologist regarding the Maryland CNC speech discrimination test and determining whether he is entitled to a higher initial rating based on application of the regulations in effect as of his 1968 date of claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically addressing the shift in hearing acuity from his entrance to separation examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a left foot condition, a left ankle condition, and a psychiatric disorder due to incomplete development of records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back injury, neck injury, migraine headaches, and bilateral hearing loss has been granted.,Service connection is established for low back injury, neck injury, and migraine headaches. Bilateral hearing loss remains under consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence and need for updated examinations, as well as assistance in obtaining private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss from August 29, 2014 to June 16, 2019 is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show worsening of his hearing loss between these dates.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence in the July 2021 VA examination, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a hearing loss disability during service or within one year after discharge. The most probative evidence indicated that his current hearing loss is not related to military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of an evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for bilateral hearing loss disability and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has found that VA must obtain the audiometry results from a February 23, 2021 hearing evaluation to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his claim for a compensable rating for tension headaches is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to hazardous noise exposure during his military service.

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