Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for higher staged ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claim of service connection for a chronic skin condition is remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure history and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, and a higher rating for tinnitus have all been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and back disability due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability in accordance with VA standards.,For the right hand strain issues, the Veteran's symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma. As a result, the Veteran's claims have been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated noncompensable from May 13, 2021 and continuing thereafter. The severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss at worst was level I for both ears.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but the issue of left ear hearing loss is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The VA examiner's opinion was not supported by an adequate rationale, particularly regarding the Veteran's lay statements about his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and right eye injury residuals.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death, and no final decision can be made for his claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has resulted in no worse than Level III hearing loss in either ear, and his claim for increase is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for sinusitis and an increased rating for deviated nasal septum with rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral foot calluses, a TDIU, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions and evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current condition is related to noise exposure during active service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.,There is no indication of any current or in-service hearing loss issues.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is related to his active duty service. The right ear hearing loss issue requires an addendum opinion to determine if it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 26, 2018 is dismissed. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits are granted as of April 18, 2008. The issue of SMC based on loss of use of hearing/deafness of both ears prior to November 26, 2018 is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The low back condition claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service and remands the case for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate statement of reasons or bases for relying on a July 2019 VA medical examination, and because there is no private medical evaluation associated with the claims file.