Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA hearing loss examination, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is now pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings of diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's claim to find him Totally Disabled Except for Non-Service Connected Conditions (TDIU) should be dismissed.,The Veteran's service connection claim for balance issues/vertigo/dizziness is remanded, meaning it needs further review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no persuasive evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the appeal is denied.,The Veteran's lumbar strain with lumbar muscle spasm requires additional development to determine if there are any functional limitations or flare-ups that affect his ability to work.,Service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy and right lower extremity neuropathy is remanded due to lack of evidence of peripheral neuropathy at the time of examination.,Service connection for dizziness and vertigo (secondary to service-connected traumatic brain injury) is remanded as there was no radiculopathy found during the lumbar spine examination.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as related to noise exposure during service.,Service connection for hypertension is granted due to the PACT Act, effective from August 10, 2022. The claim for service connection on any other basis is remanded.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining and considering private treatment records, particularly from Dr. Shackel and Southwest ENT.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and hearing loss are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, including a lack of VA examination regarding the Veteran's ability to work prior to his incarceration in February 2013. The Veteran is service-connected for various disabilities and meets the schedular threshold for TDIU eligibility prior to February 2013. However, the Board found conflicting evidence on whether he could secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, and a bilateral knee disability due to new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including PTSD, left ear hearing loss, foot conditions, cervical and lumbar spine conditions, sleep apnea, TBI, headaches, and seizures. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination for his feet or headaches, and additional records are needed regarding an accident in Tennessee.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of VA examinations. The appellant was unable to attend the scheduled examinations on short notice, and good cause has been shown.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there is no current diagnosis of right or left ear hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination and lack of consideration of certain evidence, including testimony that hearing loss began shortly after separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, hypertension, right ear hearing loss, Meniere's disease, tinnitus, migraines, and neurocardiogenic syncope. The AOJ implemented this decision in a June 2023 rating decision.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis, bilateral tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are granted service connection. The claim for an acquired psychiatric condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that there is a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not obtaining an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is not granted an initial compensable rating, but his lumbosacral strain is granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for TBI and assigned a rating of 100% effective July 16, 2012. The Board also found that the Veteran's Meniere's disease, migraines, and neurocardiogenic syncope all stem from TBI and resulted in his inability to care for himself, granting SMC-T with an effective date of July 16, 2012.