Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional examinations. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, left foot disability (other than hallux valgus), right foot disability (other than hallux valgus), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bladder or urinary disability, thyroid disability, right breast lump, breast reduction surgery residuals, and C-section residuals.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, back disability, lower extremity disabilities, upper extremity disabilities, stroke, and alopecia. The claims were not supported by evidence showing the conditions occurred during active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting opinions regarding its onset and causation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left hand disability, insomnia, and GERD. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for essential tremors and TDIU prior to April 17, 2019. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU from April 17, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected foot and knee disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU effective May 11, 2016.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a left ear condition and left ear hearing loss due to insufficient information in previous opinions. The Veteran's symptoms, including chronic otitis media during service, are considered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss, lower back disability, and TDIU due to new evidence indicating worsening in some conditions and insufficient examination records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The decision is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the tinnitus claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss in both ears due to inconsistencies and discrepancies in audiometric test results during service. The case is referred back to VA for further medical analysis, including an examination by an otolaryngologist.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence showing a nexus between his current hearing loss and his active duty service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current audiometric findings do not warrant such a rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to new evidence showing the impact of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus on his employment, including falls and vertigo.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, hypertension, heart disability, stroke residuals, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals were not granted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has ordered additional development due to non-compliance with previous remands and requests for treatment records. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claim during an April 2021 Board hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination results, and a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.