Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss due to withdrawal. The earlier effective date claim for left ear hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of a current disability at the time of the November 2013 denial, and VA did not have knowledge that the Veteran's hearing loss would progress to a compensable level. Service connection for right leg radiculopathy and left leg radiculopathy is remanded due to lack of an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that there was no current skin disability, the bilateral hearing loss did not meet criteria for a higher rating, and tinnitus met the standard for a 10% rating. The right knee disability claim is remanded.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of right shoulder disability, right shoulder muscle injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of prior claims within a year of discharge.,The Veteran's initial ratings for the right shoulder conditions (limitation of range of motion and muscle injury) were not increased.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration disability records and reviewing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied as the VA examinations did not provide evidence of worsening in his hearing acuity, and it is less likely than not that the hearing loss is related to military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete service records. The Veteran's periods of active duty with the Michigan Army National Guard need to be verified.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and left ankle disability, and has awarded a 60% rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for increased rating of bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 8, 2022.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to concerns about the severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, requiring an additional VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his in-service noise exposure and that any such hearing loss did not manifest until after separation from active duty. The Board also found no evidence of secondary service connection due to tinnitus.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they manifested within one year of his separation from service and are not attributable to intercurrent causes.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation of bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his request for a hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for ulcerative colitis, bilateral hearing loss, and a back disability due to new and material evidence. However, the claims are still denied as there is no current disability found for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected neck numbness (neuritis) is granted, but a higher rating than 10 percent is denied. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's difficulty swallowing associated with her right side of neck numbness is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus, psychiatric disability, and bilateral hearing loss are all rated at their maximum levels. The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain treatment records from a Vet Center.

The Veteran's spouse, D.C., is the caregiver and has been assessed for personal care services needs. The Veteran currently requires assistance with activities of daily living such as dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility. However, the claim was remanded due to a lack of completed caregiver training within 90 days from the application date.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left ear hearing loss, right shoulder disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and right upper extremity scars have been granted. The claim for a right shoulder disorder is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for left shoulder disability, OSA, headache disability (including as secondary to PTSD), left ankle disability, and left ear hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and its relation to in-service noise exposure.