Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as the Veteran did not have a current disability of hearing impairment recognized by VA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss worsened during service and is therefore granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder. However, it denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability prior to April 8, 2022 was denied. His claim for an increased rating of more than 30 percent from that date was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, esophageal disability, and low back disability are being remanded due to insufficient evidence or conflicting opinions.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and increased ratings for left knee instability prior to July 2018, but remanded the issues of increased ratings for right knee instability and right knee flexion impairment. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The left shoulder claim has been reopened, but the other claims remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened due to new and material evidence, but the appeals are still pending as some issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition, as it may have worsened since his last VA examination in August 2021.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, skin condition of the feet (claimed as athlete's foot), ingrown toenail of the right foot, back condition, and right knee condition. The decision found no current disability for hearing loss or tinnitus that would meet VA compensation criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous Remand directives and insufficient opinion from the November 2019 VA examiner. The case is now pending for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, sleep apnea, and PTSD with depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other appealed claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and severity of the Veteran's left ear otitis media and externa, as well as outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a heart disability due to incomplete service records, specifically missing STRs from his periods of active duty in January 2003 to December 2003. The Board also requested verification of the dates and character of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence that these conditions were caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a greater evaluation.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain updated treatment records and the March 26, 2019 audiogram record. The case is now pending for further review.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to missing service records and medical treatment records, as well as obtaining a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his gastric ulcer disorder has also been denied. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of incapacitating episodes or weight loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran contends his current disabilities are related to in-service ear infections and falls, respectively.