Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain audiogram results and a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current hearing loss and noise exposure in service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities and initial rating determinations. The main reasons are due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete audiometric results from a previous VA examination. The RO must obtain the complete audiometric findings and schedule the Veteran for another VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including a new examination and severance of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current hearing difficulties, and the claim was not supported by credible medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss disabilities, finding no current disability in the right ear and insufficient evidence to establish a link between the left ear hearing loss and service.

The appeal for service connection of left ear hearing loss is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, musculoskeletal disabilities, and hearing loss rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons for not using the Maryland CNC Test in determining left ear hearing loss. The Veteran needs clarification on whether this test was used.

The Board has decided that further development is necessary before a decision can be made on the merits of the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 25, 2007, and no earlier for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment as of that date.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea, finding no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA standards or a causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and middle ear dysfunction, which present with symptoms of hearing loss, are found to have begun during service and are therefore granted service connection on a presumptive basis.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within one year after discharge.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's current disabilities are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including acoustic trauma incurred during service in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disabilities are remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is also remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions had their onset during his military service due to acoustic trauma.