Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to duty to assist errors, specifically regarding missing medical records from a private provider. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are noted as affecting his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 3, 2012.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, considering his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were reopened, and both conditions are now granted.,Service connection is established for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and prostate cancer (residual symptoms), with a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss and chronic suppurative otitis media with eustachian tube dysfunction is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as there was no evidence showing that his hearing loss reached levels considered disabling per VA criteria.

The Veteran's combined rating is already at 100%, but the Board found insufficient evidence to support a TDIU based on any single service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's heart condition was not service connected due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment and the absence of a causal link to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right hip disability, and left hip disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records and any relevant private treatment records. A new VA examination with comprehensive opinions on service connection will be arranged.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and evaluation due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating. The case is being remanded for further development regarding his left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss may have worsened since his last VA examination in April 2016, and he should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes. The case is now being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his in-service noise exposure, as there was no evidence of significant decline in hearing thresholds during service and the Veteran reported noticing hearing problems only post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is etiologically related to his active-duty service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of whether new and material evidence was submitted for service connection for bipolar disorder, PTSD with alcohol dependency, bilateral hearing loss, sleep problems and nightmares, and tension headaches. The appeal is being returned to the AOJ for readjudication.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss prior to December 26, 2018 was rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability and the need for further examination and review of medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the claims for arthritis all over the body, hearing loss, atrial fibrillation, and bronchitis at a Board hearing. As the Veteran died during the appeal process, the remaining issues are dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction.