Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is denied as he does not have this condition.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, major depression disorder, anxiety disorder, insomnia) is denied. The Veteran submitted opinions from private doctors stating that he has these conditions, but the Board finds their opinions outweighed by other medical evidence of record and insufficient to establish a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no in-service noise exposure documented and his STRs do not show any relevant symptoms. The VA examiner found that his diagnosed hearing loss is less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for a back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right lower extremity nerve disorder, and left lower extremity nerve disorder are denied as the Veteran's STRs do not show any relevant symptoms. The VA examiner found that his diagnosed conditions are less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for a heart disorder (atrial fibrillation, bradycardia) is denied as there is no in-service noise exposure documented and the VA examiners found that his atrial fibrillation is at least as likely as not related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's STRs show he had a benign heart murmur at entrance to service.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity edema (right and left) is denied as there is no in-service noise exposure documented and the VA examiners found that his diagnosed conditions are less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for hypertension prior to August 10, 2022 is denied. The Veteran's STRs show he had a benign heart murmur at entrance to service and the VA examiner found that his bradycardia is at least as likely as not related to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction prior to August 10, 2022 is denied. There is no in-service noise exposure documented and the Veteran's STRs show he had a benign heart murmur at entrance to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, stomach condition (acid, gas, chronic constipation, and hiatal hernia), and irregular heartbeat as they were granted service connection in an August 2023 rating decision. The claim for globus hystericus (lump in throat) and eye disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while his claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate explanation of reasons and bases for its findings regarding the Veteran's dizziness and lost work time related to his hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for TDIU due to in-service noise exposure. The claims will be reviewed again with a new examination for hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiometric testing records. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss will be further evaluated.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and thus the appeal must be remanded once again due to the failure to obtain the February 2018 private audiological examination report from Dr. D.P., Au.D.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection of tinnitus due to a prior grant in March 2020. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and neurological condition (to include headaches) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rashes has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back injury, bilateral knee injury, and bilateral shoulder injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues of ataxia, major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder (in sustained remission), bilateral neuropathy of the feet, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea will be addressed.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the effective date of TDIU and further development is needed. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include diabetes, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has added new evidence and is remanding the cases for further review by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA audiological evaluation to determine if left ear hearing loss is related to service or other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and opinion regarding the Appellant's service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ is required to verify all periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), and obtain a medical opinion addressing the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to April 16, 2019. The Court granted a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) due to unclear application of the reasonable probability standard under Snider v. McDonough. The case is remanded for referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for a skin condition other than of the feet, including acne vulgaris. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of sinusitis was denied, as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss was denied. The evidence showed that she had Level I hearing in both ears and no other service-connected disability in the non-service connected ear to combine with her right ear hearing loss.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied, as there was no established link between the Veteran's current condition and her military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and a respiratory disorder caused by asbestos exposure have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability in either case, and there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to support an aggravation of his preexisting conditions during service.