Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as secondary to the service-connected tinnitus disability, finding that the evidence is at least in balance and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The hearing loss case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral ear infections were denied. The Veteran's right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel disabilities are each granted a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty to assist error. The VA examiner's opinions are insufficient as they did not consider the Veteran's continuity of symptoms post-military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board found that his hearing loss did not have its onset in service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 40 percent since February 14, 2019 to October 23, 2019. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for this condition.,Tinnitus was rated at 10 percent since February 14, 2019 to October 23, 2020. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was manifested no worse than Level II in the right ear and Level I in the left ear during the period on appeal, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection.,Service connection for chronic kidney disease and bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to August 30, 2019, was denied. A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's claims seeking earlier effective dates for tinnitus and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent were withdrawn. The Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current condition is etiologically related to in-service noise exposure.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated employment information from the Veteran and any SSA disability benefits records. The issue of TDIU remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous medical opinion and the need for further development.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, stating that the Veteran's low back disorder was less likely related to his in-service back treatment. The claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss is reopened due to new and material evidence.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of tinnitus and the evidence does not indicate a causal relationship between active duty service and the Veteran's current condition.,The Board found that the Veteran did not have current tinnitus, and thus denied service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran also sought service connection for right eye corneal abrasion but was unable to establish a nexus with his military service due to inconsistencies in his statements and clinical evidence.,Service connection for right eye corneal abrasion is denied as there is no indication of a current disability related to the alleged injury during service.

The Board has remanded the case to further develop evidence for a claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss disability. The Veteran asserts that his current hearing loss is due to noise exposure during service, but VA audiologists have noted inconsistencies in the separation examination results and concluded that the current hearing loss is more likely related to occupational and recreational sources.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the findings of a November 2019 VA examiner and conflicting medical authority.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung condition due to withdrawal of appeal by the Veteran. The issues of increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as well as TDIU, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and bilateral hearing loss disability are being remanded due to incomplete medical records. The Board requests that VA obtain private treatment records from Dr. M. and any additional VA treatment records from June 2021 to the present, including the August 2020 audiological examination results.