Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss on a direct basis. The Veteran's peripheral edema claims are remanded due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of an updated VA examination addressing the Veteran's arguments regarding delayed onset hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for clarification of effective dates, further examination to determine current severity of hearing loss, and obtaining additional VA treatment records. The issues are also inextricably intertwined due to their impact on each other.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have started during his military service and is related to that service, granting service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of hearing loss, skin rash of upper back (tinea versicolor), and headaches. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in service and is denied.,The Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, so the claim is denied.,The Veteran's lung condition, headaches, insomnia, TMJ syndrome, arthritis of the entire skeletal system, and eye condition are remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's weight loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.,PTSD was not diagnosed in service or currently. The claim for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is found to be etiologically related to his left leg radiculopathy, and the claim for this connection is granted. The rating for his lumbar spine disability remains remanded due to lack of recent examination.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the appellant's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 30, 2020, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's tinnitus is also granted as service-connected, with the Board finding continuity of symptomatology from service until present.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and remanded the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding SSA records and additional VA examinations.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals for service connection of IBS, CTS (bilateral), allergic rhinitis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee scar. The claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been reopened due to new evidence received since their final denial.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate VA examination and failure to consider all relevant evidence, including lay statements about symptom onset.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's hearing loss, headaches, unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, and skin disorder are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is granted as service connected. The issue of secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to include as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), and to include as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but denied the petition to reopen the previously denied left ear hearing loss claim. The decision also remanded issues related to Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia and fatigue.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

Your appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a psychiatric disorder claimed as anxiety, a left shoulder disability, bilateral shin splints, and toenail fungus of both feet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.