Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide a VA examination for bilateral hearing loss, and new evidence may affect the rating assigned.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were not incurred in service, nor are they related to noise exposure or any other service-connected condition.,There is no evidence of hypertension during service. The Veteran currently has hypertension but his STRs do not show any complaints, treatment, or symptoms related to this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tuberculosis chorioretinitis with left paracentral scotoma, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from April 25, 2003. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has separated out each claim and found that the Veteran had pending claims at the time of his death. The Appellant timely filed for accrued benefits within one year after the Veteran's death, allowing her to proceed with these claims on appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current bilateral hearing loss had its onset in service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss resulted in a noncompensable rating prior to November 15, 2022, and a 10 percent rating since that date. The Board denied both the initial compensable rating claim and the increased rating claim.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the case for further development regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's auditory processing disorder and hearing loss. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives regarding an addendum opinion for service connection of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection. The VA is instructed to obtain authorization and request relevant private treatment records from the Veteran's former employment with the Bureau of Prisons and his current primary physician. Additionally, the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to identify any current disabilities and determine if they are related to his military service or his service-connected left hip tendonitis and left thigh limitations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (vertigo) was denied as it is not due to or aggravated by the service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating prior to February 6, 2019 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss on an extraschedular basis was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a low spine disability. The evidence supports the conclusion that these conditions are related to noise exposure during active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable (zero percent) since the onset of his service-connected left ear hearing loss. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is due to in-service loud noise exposure and chronic symptoms during service. The need for additional medical opinions was not necessary as the claim was decided on the basis of direct service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is now pending with a request for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition began during his active military service and resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a right ear hearing loss disability.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was granted as it began during active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to his service. The claim will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion.