Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for left and right hip conditions, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus type II.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and has determined that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The hepatitis and right ear hearing loss claims have been remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the previously denied claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral knee disability, heart disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Additional VA treatment records must be obtained and considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a lower back injury has been reopened and granted. The claim for diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DM2) is granted as presumptively due to herbicide exposure in Thailand under the PACT Act.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the current appeal for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for a VA examination and retrospective opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examinations in the July 2018 VA examination. A new examination is needed to determine if service connection can be established.

The Veteran's back disability is granted as service-connected. The issues of left hand, right hand, bilateral lung condition (embolism), right shoulder, right knee, and left knee conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the specific pure tone thresholds and/or speech discrimination percentages required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because he failed to report for a VA examination and there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to new evidence obtained from the Department of Defense and the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 50 percent since January 31, 2022. The claim for an initial increased rating is denied.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the service-connected right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence obtained after the prior decision.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, jaw disorder (TMJ), and sinus condition other than allergic rhinitis have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for varicose veins, left leg and service connection for bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional development. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that it is related to in-service noise exposure and resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left elbow strain were denied as not related to service. The lumbosacral strain was also denied, but the claim for depression and anxiety disorders is being remanded.,Service connection for depression and anxiety disorders remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as both conditions are related to military noise exposure.