Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the left knee due to incomplete development, including a lack of VA examination reports. The Veteran is also seeking an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request. The TDIU claim prior to March 16, 2020 was denied because the Veteran had been employed full-time until he became disabled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current evidence of hearing loss meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 2, 2022 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter has been denied. The current ratings are found not to meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure sustained in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not show that he meets or approximates the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased disability ratings were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Board granted an effective date of November 1, 2003 for the assignment of a 20 percent disability rating for limitation of abduction due to degenerative joint changes of the right hip.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim until November 29, 2011.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at a 10 percent rating since April 26, 2019. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings prior to this date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss disabilities due to potential issues with the medical opinions provided. The Veteran contends that his hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA hearing loss examination, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his service.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for left ear and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for chronic migraines, right great toe crush injury, bilateral hearing loss, and hemorrhoids before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his exposure to noise during military service. The decision also notes that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition at entry into service and that the Veteran reported continuous hearing difficulties since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records. The RO is required to obtain all relevant treatment records from the VA Medical Center in Orlando, Florida, between November 2011 and October 2017, and attempt to obtain Dr. R.'s treatment notes for his psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for esophageal or stomach condition due to a lack of authorization and request for records from Mountain View Medical Group and Pike Peak Group. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left eye condition is denied as there is no credible evidence linking his current keratoconus to service. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has denied a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for service connection of vertigo as secondary to hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.