Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that there are outstanding records of VA treatment that should be obtained and added to the claims file. The Veteran's complete and updated records of VA treatment should be requested and associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, OSA, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, CAD, and hypertension are all granted.,Service connection is also granted for right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the claims for initial compensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and migraine headaches, as well as service connection for right shoulder disability and back strain, require additional development due to incomplete records and need for updated medical opinions.

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

The Board has denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for supraventricular tachycardia due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's PTSD claim requires a VA examination, and his hearing loss claim needs an addendum opinion from the clinician who provided the November 2018 DBQ.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar back disability, and bilateral feet disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset in service and is related to his active military service, including as a result of noise exposure during combat. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset in service and granted her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.,The Veteran's testicle pain may be related to his in-service diagnosis of epididymitis. A remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing this issue.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that his current disability is etiologically related to military noise exposure and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The petition to reopen the service connection claim for PTSD is granted. A compensable rating for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied, and the issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection of a bilateral hearing loss disability. The claims for tinnitus, low back pain, left knee, left ankle, right ankle disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because his Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was not timely filed within one year from the date of notification of the October 2017 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and respiratory disability due to new evidence submitted after the issuance of the August 2014 SOC. The AOJ is required to review this additional evidence and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure during his period of active duty training (ACDUTRA). Service connection is denied for right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection, while his left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's previously denied claim for a right knee disability is reopened, and service connection is granted.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the current disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by military service.