Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted based on the Veteran's exposure to noise during service and his reported symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral knee disorders, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The appellant withdrew her appeals regarding the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for breast cancer of the left breast (also claimed as invasive ductal carcinoma) has been granted. The application to reopen the previously denied claim for hypertension has been dismissed.,The applications to reopen the previously denied claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) claim is granted due to the combined disability rating of his service-connected conditions meeting the schedular requirements.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal through his attorney representative.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, specifically a need for an addendum VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ is instructed to obtain such an opinion and consider all relevant evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss may be related to service, but additional evidence is needed for a final decision.

The appeal for service connection of right ear hearing loss has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal request.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to errors in obtaining SSA records and earning statements.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additional medical records need to be obtained, and further examinations are required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that he does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with its previous remand instructions regarding a VA examination for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no causal relationship between his current hearing loss and his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for PTSD, a low back disorder, and bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claim of service connection for PTSD is reopened due to new evidence submitted since the prior final denial. The claims for a low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss are not reopened as the new evidence does not relate to an unestablished element of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine if his brain tumor and renal cancer are related to service, including exposure to hazardous cleaning chemicals. Additionally, the TDIU issue will be addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.