Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disorder due to a finding that the pre-existing hearing problem did not increase in severity during service.,The Board has also remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes and an eye disorder, as there is insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicides or other potential causes.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are due to noise exposure during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since February 24, 2014. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective February 24, 2014.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and a bilateral vision disability, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied.,The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right and left ankle disorders, right and left knee disorders, low back disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA's regulatory definition of a hearing loss disability or any other qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and other issues are being remanded due to inadequate compliance with previous directives.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that there is an approximate balance of evidence supporting this claim and concluding that the current disability element, in-service injury element, and medical nexus element have all been met.

The Board has decided to remand the TDIU claim due to insufficient reasons and bases provided in the original decision. The Veteran's PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus need to be reassessed by VA examiners.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's tinnitus claim is also being remanded as he testified that his condition has worsened since his last VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss due to a need for additional information and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been denied as there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability in his right ear.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss has also been denied, as he does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure. The examiner did not adequately address the Veteran's testimony about his in-service and post-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as his current hearing did not meet VA standards for a disability.

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

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU.