Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing loss met or approximated the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied because he did not meet the threshold requirements for a current disability under VA regulations.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient evidence or need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide these issues.,A VA examination and opinion are required to determine if any current heel condition, hearing loss, or back condition is related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, as other nonservice-connected conditions have impacted his employability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not rated compensably, as his current hearing levels do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure is denied because there is no evidence of in-service exposure and the condition is more likely related to smoking than service.,Coronary artery disease claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure is denied, with the opinion stating that the Veteran's COPD was not caused by his service-connected asbestos-related COPD.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure is denied because there is no evidence of in-service exposure and the condition is more likely related to smoking than service.,Transient ischemic attack (TIA), claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure, is denied with the opinion stating that the Veteran's COPD was not caused by his service-connected asbestos-related COPD.

The Board has determined that the current adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is premature due to inadequate examination and remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing the contentions of the July 2023 representative's brief and the audiogram from November 2017.

The Veteran's otitis media with bilateral hearing loss was granted a 10 percent rating from June 4, 2018 to February 21, 2022. The effective date for this increased rating is not specified as the increase in disability level could be factually ascertained.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disorder due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hip and foot disabilities, psychiatric conditions, sleep disorders, hearing loss, vertigo, vision loss, hyperlipidemia, GERD, skin rashes, hand circulatory condition, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The remand requires additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate reasoning regarding the VA audiological examination and the need for an addendum opinion. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further review.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the right knee disability claim due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current claims are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service and have continued since. However, service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of in-service positive threshold shifts.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus was remanded.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity did not warrant such a rating based on VA examination results and the applicable rating schedule.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as new and material evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was also denied.,Service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is not granted, as there is no evidence of such a condition during active duty or at any time thereafter.