Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's hearing loss is currently diagnosed, but the VA examiner did not consider the Veteran's assertions of worsening between his periods of service.

The Board denied SMC based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that her functional impairments were not solely caused by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU remains on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that he failed to report for VA examinations and his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or service connection.

The Board denied service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding no current diagnosis or causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the issue of service connection for a skin disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and vertigo disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records not obtained. The Veteran was also asked to provide non-VA medical providers' records.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The claim of service connection for tinnitus is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his inability to work is attributed to nonservice-connected disabilities such as stroke, PTSD, epilepsy, and spine issues. The Board denied the claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left knee disorder, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and hypertension. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current diagnosis and military noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on issues related to service connection and initial ratings for his diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The claim for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the issue of a higher rating remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, back disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking his current conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and the Veteran did not have a recent diagnosis prior to filing his claim.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was granted. However, the Board denied service connection for this condition as there is no persuasive evidence that it began during active service or is related to an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's bilateral eye conditions were also denied as there is no persuasive evidence they began during active service or are related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right ear hearing loss due to a colonoscopy performed at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center on November 29, 2007 because there is no evidence that VA's carelessness or negligence caused the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 5, 2011 is being remanded due to the interrelated nature with his neck disability issue.,The Board finds that an addendum medical opinion is required regarding the Veteran's neck disability as it was based on inaccurate factual premises.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's current hearing loss disability and its relation to in-service noise exposure.