Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current disability level does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine current disability levels.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's PTSD and hearing loss, including initial evaluations and service connection for migraines. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the May 2020 remand directives regarding the issue of bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded again to obtain substantial compliance consistent with Stegall v. West.

The Board has denied a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for headache, neck, right shoulder, and right hand disabilities.

The appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is dismissed because there was an already-pending appeal from a previous decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's exposure to acoustic trauma during active military service is related to their current condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service due to lack of in-service onset or chronicity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and failure of duty to assist, specifically regarding the Veteran's ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory condition, lower back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) due to a failure to verify all periods of active, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA service. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to hazardous noise exposure during service, while there is no current evidence of tinnitus at the time of the appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to hazardous noise exposure during service, while there is no current evidence of tinnitus at the time of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

Service connection for a left leg condition, including as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability, is denied.,Service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to the service-connected tinnitus is granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The breast cancer claim is remanded due to an error in failing to consider potential service connection based on exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during his periods of active service, including ACDUTRA. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and right hand disability due to the lack of evidence of current disabilities at any time during or approximate to the period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance/housebound status is remanded due to a failure to provide a VA examination prior to the rating decision. The Board must obtain an appropriate VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his activities of daily life.