Hearing loss decisions — 2023

Service connection is granted for tinnitus due to presumed exposure during service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a compensable degree of hearing loss within one year after separation from service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is less likely related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and a higher initial disability rating in excess of zero percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not rated compensably, as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for a back condition and bone degeneration are denied. The Board finds that these conditions did not onset in service or are otherwise related to service exposure.,Service connection for fatty liver is denied. The Veteran's fatty liver is not linked to his service, including exposures at Camp Lejeune or asbestos.,The Veteran's back condition began post-service and was not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating, resulting in a denial of his claim.

The appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The appeals for increased rating for anxiety and depression, service connection for low back disorder, knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are all remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a relationship between his current hearing impairment and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease/vertigo due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology, particularly in relation to service exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a right knee condition has been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or causal links to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, arthritis of multiple joints, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder have been granted. The remaining issues are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, left shoulder disability, coronary artery disease (CAD), tinnitus, and hearing loss, have limited him to sedentary work since October 4, 2006. The Board finds that his service-connected conditions precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education, skills, training, and work history from October 4, 2006 to January 11, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for head trauma with blurred vision and headaches, tinnitus as secondary to head trauma, bilateral hearing loss as secondary to head trauma, and congenital deformities of the feet have been reopened. Service connection is granted for head trauma with blurred vision and headaches and bilateral hearing loss as secondary to head trauma. The claim for tinnitus has not yet been decided due to a remand.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remands and new evidence received. The Veteran's hearing loss is currently service-connected, but there are questions about whether it is related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and lacerations of the lower back due to incomplete development and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding whether the Veteran was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from November 19, 2012 to November 27, 2017. The case will be sent back for a clarifying addendum opinion by a VA examiner or vocational specialist.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied as the audiometric testing conducted during the period on appeal reflects that he has Level I hearing loss in the left ear, and his right ear can be considered no more than Level I hearing impaired.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the conditions are related to military noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to unreliable test results and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran will be given the opportunity to provide additional evidence or undergo another examination.