Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to tend to basic functions of self-care and required the regular aid and attendance of another individual, leading to a grant of SMC based on aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate is moot due to the inclusion of this benefit.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically addressing any threshold shifts in service records and considering the Veteran's noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for service-connected Pseudofolliculitis Barbae and Bilateral Hearing Loss have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding of in-service onset and continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection for left foot toenail disability, right foot toenail disability, left foot fungus disability, and right foot fungus disability were all granted. The Board determined that the evidence supported an in-service onset and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically addressing noise exposure in service and delayed-onset hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on exposure to loud noises during military service.

The Board has decided that the VA's decision on right ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) needs to be reconsidered due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete verification of stressor events.

The claims of service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disorders have been readjudicated due to new and relevant evidence. The claim for service connection for a neck disorder is denied.,The claims of service connection for right hand and left hand disorders are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their relationship to service.

The Veteran's VA disability benefits are denied because his separation pay was granted for his second period of service, and he received VA benefits based on that same period. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military noise exposure. The effective date is not specified as it was established on the date of receipt of the supplemental claim.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC based on aid and attendance claims are being remanded due to the unique facts of his case, including a stroke that rendered him unable to work.

The Veteran's appeal for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that new evidence supports readjudicating the claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability. The decision to deny service connection for a left knee disability remains, as it was found to be due to willful misconduct.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's left foot disability is granted a 10 percent evaluation, subject to regulations governing payment of monetary awards. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for both hearing loss and tinnitus claims, warranting readjudication. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted, while the claim for tinnitus is remanded due to a lack of VA examination.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of November 25, 2014 for the grants of service connection with a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a 10 percent rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral vision loss is denied as not incurred in or related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to her military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, and a new opinion is required on whether his current hearing disability can be related to in-service noise exposure.