Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis and other respiratory disorders due to a lack of VA examination, and will provide updated treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, including whether it is related to service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been granted. The issue of a compensable disability evaluation for right ear hearing loss is being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 14, 2023 and a rating in excess of 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's hearing acuity was rated at Level VII in the right ear and Level VIII in the left ear as of April 14, 2023.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 24, 2019 and restored to that rating. For the period since April 24, 2019, a higher evaluation of 70 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, arthritis, left ankle condition, and right hip replacement due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's testimony and private opinions suggest a connection to service, but further examination is needed.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise, and thus service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet his burden of establishing an inability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service, and the claim is denied.,The Veteran's lung cancer was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service, and the claim is denied.

For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 10 percent.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's tinnitus disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his hearing loss remains within the legacy system. The Board has decided to remand this issue due to insufficient evidence and a need for a more current examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability needs to be re-evaluated due to a potential increase in severity, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension, sleep apnea, hearing loss, and spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are all rated as they were originally. The issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee is remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and ear problems and spasms were denied as service connection was decided on the merits, with no presumption or new evidence considered.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions are etiologically related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to service, with the Board finding that any current conditions are more likely due to post-service noise exposure.

The appeal as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The appeals to reopen the claims for service connection for heart disability, vertigo, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of TBI or residuals thereof, nor any other service-connected vision problems or left ear hearing loss.,Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral flat feet and plantar fasciitis, right or left ear disorder, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, right carpal tunnel syndrome (dominant), left carpal tunnel syndrome (nondominant), right shoulder acromioclavicular joint strain (dominant), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations scheduled in April 2023.