Hearing loss decisions — 2023

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

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colitis was dismissed.,His claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and he received a 70% rating for PTSD as of March 10, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current hearing disability in either ear that meets VA standards.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, congestive heart failure, renal kidney failure, hypertension, flat feet, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and alcohol use disorder), stomach ulcers, hearing loss, tinnitus, and migraines. The reasons for remand include a lack of evidence regarding exposure to chemicals in service, the need to verify in-service stressors, and incomplete records from Dr. P. Weaver.

The Veteran's asthma is related to exposure to burn pits while serving in Saudi Arabia. The Board granted service connection for this condition, finding it meets the criteria for presumptive service connection under the PACT Act.

Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but remanded the other issues due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and TDIU due to conflicting medical records, incomplete employment history, and discrepancies regarding his functional limitations caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings and TDIU due to PTSD and alcohol use disorder prior to January 16, 2020 is not yet resolved as there are additional issues of employability with a variety of symptoms and work dysfunctioning. These issues require further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, anxiety, PTSD, and depression due to issues with notification of VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 11, 2022, and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent thereafter has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss is remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous VA examination and the need for a new one.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied it on the merits.

The Board denied service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during active duty or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not support a finding that they are related to service.,Service connection was granted for Tinnitus, as it was incurred in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within one year after service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have credible testimony regarding his symptoms during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran is also asked to provide information about his employment and income throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person prior to November 1, 2017. The RO is instructed to obtain a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and cervical spine disability, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim. The VA will obtain updated treatment records, schedule examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the disabilities, and consider the secondary theory of entitlement.