Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the inadequacy of previous VA examinations. The April 4, 2019, audiogram results will be obtained, and a new examination will determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and eye disabilities due to incomplete records, including missing STRs from his second period of active service. The AOJ is also directed to determine if the Veteran participated in a TERA (toxic exposure risk activity) based on his MOS as motor transportation operator.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss and service connection for bursitis, left knee have been dismissed due to the Veteran's explicit withdrawal of these issues during his Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety and depression, have been reopened. The claim for service connection for a back disability, restless leg syndrome (left leg), and restless leg syndrome (right leg) is remanded. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine has been granted.,Remand is ordered for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gastrointestinal condition (including irritable bowel syndrome and chronic diarrhea), and dizziness.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, including irritable bowel syndrome and chronic diarrhea, is remanded due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his symptoms and their relationship to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness (claimed as vertigo) is remanded due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition was incurred during service or is otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased rating of PTSD, service connection for back disability, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to scheduling errors and confusion regarding an in-person examination for hearing loss. The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is considered when determining if his hearing loss was caused or aggravated by it.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 17, 2007 for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed.,An initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for an acquired psychiatric disability characterized as insomnia disorder with non-sleep disorder, mental comorbidity, and medical comorbidity, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood is denied.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral hands is denied.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disability characterized as degenerative disc disease and stenosis of the lumbar spine, status post lumbosacral strain, is denied.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision found no causal relationship between the current hearing loss and service, while finding in-service onset of tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of gall bladder removal, bilateral hearing loss, and abdominal scar. The effective date is to be determined by the AOJ.

The Veteran's application for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. The claims for service connection for bilateral fingers crush injury residuals, thoracolumbar spine disorder, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, kidney disease, urinary incontinence, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were all denied. Service connection for hypertension was granted based on the PACT Act.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and missing VA medical records. A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had onset in service or is related to his military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of VA knee examinations. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are also on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, a right hand small finger laceration, and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted since the February 2014 rating decision. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current disability.,The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus from December 15, 2017 remains remanded due to the need for further development and clarification.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Gulf War Illness, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome are all remanded as there is insufficient evidence in the record to determine their validity.,Service connection will be granted based on direct evidence of a condition during service or otherwise established by competent medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding his left quadricep or thigh injury, left ankle condition, head injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The cases are being returned for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence does not support a finding that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for left ankle, left shoulder, acid reflux, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and treatment records.