Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's hearing loss claim is being remanded due to the failure to attend a scheduled VA examination. The Board will provide another opportunity for an examination and review of his medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was characterized by no worse than level II in the right ear and level V in the left ear from September 6, 2022. The appeal is denied as his claim for a compensable rating prior to September 6, 2022 and in excess of 10 percent from that date has not been met.

The Veteran's initial rating for left shoulder strain is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating. The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right shoulder disability due to potential issues with causation or aggravation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss due to missing scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran needs to be contacted to confirm his availability for these exams, which will help determine if he has any service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for a back disorder, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to incomplete employment history and need for a combined effects opinion on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and have continued since. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony of his onset of symptoms in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, middle ear condition of the right ear (otitis media), and tinnitus due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were addressed. The Veteran was granted a 50% rating for headaches, but denied an increased rating for PTSD. His right ear hearing loss claim was also denied. Other issues related to sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, GERD, and Gulf War illness were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as new and relevant evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to in-service hazardous noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, so the appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran claims his hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service, but the VA examiner found no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's service records show in-service noise exposure, but the current VA examiner did not consider this in their opinion.

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

The Board has granted service connection for a tinnitus disability but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss (BHL) disability due to inadequate VA nexus opinions.