Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an increased (compensable) evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a current VA audiological examination and the availability of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be reconsidered with a new opinion considering all applicable military deployments and toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 25, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for heart condition, low back condition, and bilateral hearing loss due to procedural errors in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, left foot bone sprain, residuals of a left foot ganglion cyst removal, depressive disorder other than PTSD, low back disorder, sinusitis, radiating right lower extremity pain, sleep disorder (to include sleep apnea), and migraine headaches have all been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's heart disorder, including myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation, is rated at 100% effective from May 7, 2021.,Service connection for hearing loss was denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the hearing loss claim is remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to make reasonable efforts to help the Veteran substantiate his claim for higher ratings for hearing loss. The Veteran is required to attend an examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service exposure to hazardous noise, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability due to aggravation of a pre-existing disorder during active duty training. The claims for hearing loss and varicose veins with ganglion cyst are remanded for further development.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased evaluations and service connection for several conditions, including right ear hearing loss, migraines, and other issues.,The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss or migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to missed VA audiological examination and lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is now pending again.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent disabling for PTSD with TBI is remanded due to inadequate examination and potential Social Security Administration records not being obtained.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded as it is intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable prior to August 22, 2023, and at 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's GERD with Barrett's esophagus is currently rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are denied for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for further development, including obtaining personnel and service medical records, and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure.