Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of left ear hearing loss. The decision on right ear hearing loss is due to lack of current diagnosis, while left ear hearing loss requires an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his active military service and his current condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for the left mandible disability from June 24, 2015 to January 5, 2020, or any rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter. Service connection was also denied for thyroid and bilateral hearing loss disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection for coronary artery disease is remanded as the Board found insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating issues related to erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disturbances, a disability characterized by elevated bilirubin, and higher ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee scar, and lumbar spine arthritis. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing loss is not related to his active duty service and does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer, which the Veteran claimed was due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune. The VA examiner concluded that the lung cancer is not related to his time in service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there was no increase in severity of preexisting hearing loss during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for head injury residuals is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition and the evidence does not support a link between an in-service injury and any current disability.,Bilateral hearing loss is remanded as additional opinion is needed regarding its onset and relation to service.,Migraine headaches are remanded as additional opinion is needed regarding their onset and relation to service.

The Board has denied service connection for hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) due to the absence of a disability in and of itself. The case is remanded for further examination and evaluation regarding diabetes, hearing loss, psychiatric disabilities, and sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss of the left ear but denied it for the right ear.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand requests and insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 50 percent for headaches has been granted. Other claims have been reopened and are pending further review.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, and the case is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions, malaria, residuals of a left thigh wound, and left thigh scar are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disability, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The gastrointestinal disability issue is not addressed in the decision.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no valid evidence of a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is rated at 40 percent, effective October 8, 2015. Prior to January 23, 2016, the Veteran was not entitled to a TDIU due to his employment status. Effective January 23, 2016, he is now entitled to a TDIU.

Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy and denied for left ear hearing loss. The case of gout is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding asbestos exposure during service, and for a medical opinion on the etiology of any respiratory disabilities.