Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment from November 28, 2017. The Board has remanded the case for further consideration of a TDIU prior to November 28, 2017 on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's vertigo secondary to his service-connected tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's right elbow disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity finger and/or hand disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's hernia is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's hypertension to include as due to Camp Lejeune service is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to failure to substantially comply with previous remand instructions, specifically regarding obtaining the complete August 19, 2015, audiogram results. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diabetes, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to incomplete development regarding the Veteran's exposure history.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the claims for service connection and rating increases. The Veteran's VA treatment records, CAPRI records, and examinations are being requested.

The Board found that prior to June 20, 2015, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disorder, hepatitis C, back disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for toenail fungus, finding that it did not originate in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,For the hearing loss issue, the Board found conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran had a hearing disability at any point between May 21, 2013 (the date VA received his claim) and the May 2015 VA examination. The Board directed the RO to obtain another VA examination to reconcile these findings.

The Veteran's appeals for various disabilities have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's request to reopen the finally disallowed claim of entitlement to service connection for adjustment disorder with anxiety is dismissed. The request to reopen the finally disallowed claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has improved since the last examination, and his current level of hearing acuity does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for left hip injury is remanded and will be reviewed again.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss based on the presumption of service connection due to continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a left upper extremity disorder and bilateral hearing loss due to failure to appear for VA examinations. The Veteran's symptoms must be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence shows a current disability, in-service acoustic trauma, and a sound basis linking them.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable (0 percent) since the January 2011 VA examination. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for pterygium, onychomycosis, keratitis with bilateral dry eyes, and corneal pannus have been remanded as there is insufficient information regarding the competency of the VA examiners who conducted these examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and his active service.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities has been established, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.,The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to in-service herbicide exposure. The cases of sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded for further examination and analysis.