Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, finding no current disability in either case. The decision is binding only with respect to the specific matters decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulation, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection. The Veteran's assertions include noise exposure during service, but there are conflicting medical records and missing service records.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is less likely than not incurred in or related to his active military service, including noise exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient consideration of recent VA treatment records and the need for a new examination. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability remains pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of liver disorder, diabetes mellitus (DM), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from June 25, 2015 to March 22, 2021 and a rating higher than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss from March 23, 2021 to July 6, 2022 is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, thus meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left and right foot conditions, bilateral shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims will be further developed to obtain legible service records and determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and urethro-prostatitis due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his service, specifically noise exposure during military service. The examiner needs to consider the possibility of delayed-onset hearing loss and the Veteran's lay assertions under the combat presumption.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examinations, and requests additional evidence and evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a right shoulder disability were granted effective June 26, 2017. The Board found that the earliest date on which service connection could be established was June 26, 2017, when the VA Regional Office received his notice of intent to file a claim for compensation.

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