Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss is denied. The claims of reopening service connection for cervical spine disability and right ear hearing loss, as well as the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability (claimed as low back pain), right sciatic nerve pain, gastrointestinal disability (irritable bowel syndrome), migraine headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae, obstructive sleep apnea, finger disability (right pinky finger dislocation), acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder), hair loss (alopecia), and skin rash are all denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by frequent urination or bladder incontinence and night sweats is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected sinusitis is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, but these claims are denied.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a cervical spine condition, but this claim is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied.,Regarding right hip disorder and left hip disorder, the evidence does not establish a current disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.,Service connection for carbon monoxide poisoning, traumatic brain injury (TBI), acquired facial fracture, rhinoplasty, allergic rhinitis, scars, plantar fasciitis, feet orthotics, stress fractures of bilateral shins, tibial tendonitis, bicipital tendonitis, right foot cellulitis, sebaceous cyst, yaws early skin disease, and benign stern neoplasm are all remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for a left knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.,Further investigation into the Veteran's treatment records from 2005-2010 is needed, as well as a new VA examination for his lumbosacral strain and an addendum opinion regarding his left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for entitlement to service connection for a back disability.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and chronic bronchitis.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, chronic rhinitis, high blood pressure, tinea pedis, folliculitis, restless leg syndrome of the left leg, and restless leg syndrome of the right leg have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence for the Veteran's claims of right shoulder, left knee, left ankle, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities.

The Veteran's migraines are found to be aggravated by service, and she is granted service connection for them. A 10 percent rating for tinnitus is granted. The lumbosacral strain claim is remanded due to increased symptoms not addressed in the previous examination. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (to include PTSD) and hearing loss are also remanded as new evidence or clarification of medical opinions may be needed. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to unresolved issues with her service-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and valvular heart disease as they have been granted in a December 2023 rating decision. The case is remanded for further analysis on the claims of bifascicular block, tinnitus, and their relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess all of the Veteran's disabilities, including his substance abuse disorders and their impact on his ability to work. The examiner is asked to determine whether the Veteran's substance abuse disorders are due to willful misconduct or treatment for other conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and higher ratings for various conditions, except for the left foot disability. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, gout, and entitlement to a TDIU due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.,Specifically, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim requires an addendum examination considering articles in support of his position. The gout rating and TDIU issues also require new examinations.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and insomnia due to inextricably intertwined matters, specifically whether the character of the appellant's discharge from service constitutes a bar to VA benefits. The Veteran's other claims are pending.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to the Veteran not having a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss for VA purposes. The cervical neck, left shoulder, and lumbar disorder issues are remanded as additional evidence is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, and therefore grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background prior to March 30, 2018, and from October 1, 2019. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder due to outstanding medical records and additional opinions are needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities were denied, with the effective dates for the granted ratings being August 24, 2015.