Hearing loss decisions — 2023

Service connection for a right shoulder disability, thoracic spine disability, and cervical spine disability has been denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset and relationship to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to exposure to hazardous noise during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for migraine headaches and erectile dysfunction. The decision finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision on tinnitus is based on a finding that it is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing (SAH) or a special home adaptation (SHA) grant due to insufficient anatomical loss, blindness, burns, or other qualifying disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that new evidence submitted after the March 2022 denial supports a finding of in-service onset or relationship to active service. The Board also found that the Veteran had conceded noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sciatica of the left and right lower extremities, and lumbosacral strain due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being remanded because there is a possibility that the Veteran was exposed to toxic exposure risk activities during her military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric condition and hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD due to a failure to verify the Veteran's reported stressors. The AOJ is instructed to request verification from the appropriate entities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current diagnoses are not causally related to service. The claims were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's initial increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new audiologic examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing the condition was incurred or aggravated during active duty. The claim is being remanded for further clarification on whether the Veteran currently has a disability for VA purposes.,For the acquired psychiatric disability, the Board found that presumptive service connection cannot be granted based on Camp Lejeune exposure as it does not fall under the list of covered illnesses in 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(f). The claim is being remanded to consider whether direct service connection can be established.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, and a sleep disorder other than sleep apnea have been granted. The appeals for increased ratings of asthma, right ear hearing loss, and carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service hazardous noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, low back disability, right ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and/or depression), and prostate disability due to service. The AOJ is directed to schedule examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional audiometric testing to determine the appropriate rating for his bilateral hearing loss prior to July 19, 2022. The issue of entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 19, 2022, is also inextricably intertwined and must be addressed.