Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, thus meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left and right foot conditions, bilateral shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims will be further developed to obtain legible service records and determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and urethro-prostatitis due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his service, specifically noise exposure during military service. The examiner needs to consider the possibility of delayed-onset hearing loss and the Veteran's lay assertions under the combat presumption.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examinations, and requests additional evidence and evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a right shoulder disability were granted effective June 26, 2017. The Board found that the earliest date on which service connection could be established was June 26, 2017, when the VA Regional Office received his notice of intent to file a claim for compensation.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a digestive tract disability (claimed as diverticulitis, diverticulosis, and colon polyps) and right ear hearing loss.,There is no evidence of any diagnosed digestive tract condition or right ear hearing loss during service. The Veteran did not meet the elements required to establish service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ear hearing loss, low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The VA examiners found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on the severity of his symptoms and range of motion.

Service connection for vertigo granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss.,TDIU from May 23, 2011 granted due to combined service-connected disabilities rendering the Veteran unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's service connection requests, as well as his request for a compensable evaluation for tinea versicolor. The appeals are dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of noise exposure or injury during periods of active duty. The appellant's current disabilities are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disability, as there is no credible evidence showing that the disorder had its onset during a period of active duty. The appellant did not have any treatment for such conditions in service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to arguments raised during a previous hearing and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical evidence on file. The Veteran needs to provide his complete service personnel records, including all periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. He also requires VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation during service and that his current hearing loss did not manifest within one year of discharge. The Board also found insufficient medical opinion to support a direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate VA examination and lack of sufficient rationale in the opinion.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as it is related to his military noise exposure.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for rhinorrhea (rhinitis) is remanded due to the need for clarification on pre-service presence of the condition and in-service reports.,Service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for right lower extremity sciatica is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for left hip disability (gluteal muscle strain) is remanded due to the need for clarification on pre-service presence of the condition and in-service reports.,Service connection for left leg pain (muscle cramping) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of substantial compliance with a previous remand. The examiner was not provided with an opinion from a private medical provider regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.