Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to the lack of evidence showing it is a disability. The claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded as there is insufficient information on the etiology.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as there was no evidence showing the disability began during or was aggravated by military service, and the Veteran did not have a current hearing loss disability within one year of separation from service.

The Board has denied service connection for a hearing loss disability of the right ear. The issues of service connection for residuals of TBI, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse), pulmonary disability (including COPD and emphysema), and lumbar spine disability are all remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is etiologically related to his in-service exposure to noise. The appeal was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted since the previous denial.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the failure to obtain his private audiology records from Dr. D.P.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss and right hand scar, but has remanded the claims of service connection for right leg shin splints and left leg shin splints due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and bipolar disorder due to incomplete responses in the VA opinions provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not rise to the level needed for such benefits.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is denied, and the initial rating higher than 10 percent for his service-connected left knee disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining new evidence to support service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for his right knee meniscal tear are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck pain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability related to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, which was noted upon entry to service, did not increase in severity during his military service. Therefore, he cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to review.

The Board has accepted the Veteran's appeal as to the timeliness of his substantive appeal for TDIU and has determined that he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities. The rating assigned is 90 percent, effective from the date of the February 2016 NOD.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his military service, while there is no evidence of a current left ear hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were generally granted, with some issues remanded. The Veteran was awarded a TDIU based on his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, leading to the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of his right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches following a March 1998 VA surgical procedure. The Board requests additional opinions from an appropriately qualified clinician to determine if these conditions are related to the surgery and whether they were caused by negligence or lack of proper skill on the part of VA.