Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction (secondary to hypertension) have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type 2 evaluations have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of these issues.,Higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), right lower extremity (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity (femoral nerve) associated with herbicide exposure, and right lower extremity (femoral nerve) associated with herbicide exposure have been granted. The Veteran's status post left ankle fracture evaluation has been denied.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the cases for an updated addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during his service.

The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The claim for right ear hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for service-connected bilateral hearing loss were denied prior to August 19, 2022. From that date onwards, the evaluations remained at a non-compensable level until an evaluation higher than 10 percent was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability in either ear and that the right ear hearing loss did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty. The Board also found that the right ear hearing loss was not related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection. Service connection for TBI was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to incomplete private treatment records from Kaiser Permanente.

The Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal for bilateral hearing loss. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and memory loss due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disorder due to inconsistencies in evidence and assertions of worsening symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but remanded the issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, OSA, and low back disability. Additional records development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right foot calluses and pain, as well as his left ear hearing loss. The examinations were not completed due to the Veteran being confined in prison.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's hearing loss is being reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability in this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral knee disability has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The claims of reopening for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have both been granted, but the rating assigned is not specified in this decision.