Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and a cervical spine condition due to insufficient evidence in some areas.

The Veteran's claim for a 50% rating for migraine headaches is denied as it is not factually ascertainable that his migraines increased in severity to warrant such a rating within the year prior to the receipt of his January 10, 2023, claim. The effective date remains at January 10, 2023.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board will now consider whether the condition clearly and unmistakably preexisted service or was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not related to his active-duty service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded.,Effective dates for the awards of service connection will be determined based on the specific issues addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need of regular aid and attendance due to his psychiatric symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board finds that tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, anxiety disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and right knee disability are related to active service. The remaining issues remain pending.

The appeal for service connection of right knee disability is dismissed as the claim was fully granted in a prior rating decision. The appeals for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current disability level does not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established. Service connection for these conditions was denied.,The Veteran has not reported continuous symptoms of tinnitus since active duty service or within one year of his discharge from active duty service. The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to active duty service. Service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus is denied as his disability has already been rated at the maximum allowable level.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes during the pendency of this appeal.,Service connection for a right shoulder disorder, headaches, TMJ dysfunction, hypertension, vertigo, and respiratory condition are all denied as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient audiometric test results and a need for clarification of speech discrimination testing.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new and relevant evidence received, including assertions indicating that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his inservice exposure to noise while working in carpentry. The AOJ will need to provide an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current hearing loss disorder is related to active service or caused by military service.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to September 13, 2019 and initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus are denied as the earliest possible effective date is September 13, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (claimed as sleep apnea) is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, insomnia, and depression due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The Veteran did not submit any new evidence that would support readjudicating these previously denied claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to exposure to acoustic trauma during service and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service and have persisted since then.

The Veteran's right elbow disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disorders, and PTSD is granted. Bilateral hearing loss remains denied.