Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on four conditions (hearing loss, hypertension, other specified depressive disorder with substance use disorder, and PTSD due to military sexual trauma) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, limitation of motion of the left ankle, limitation of motion of the right ankle, and limitation of motion of the left arm were denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service.,There are no indications that any of the claimed conditions have a direct link to service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have BHL, his lumbar DDD is not manifested by ankylosis or forward flexion at 60 degrees or less, his right lower extremity radiculopathy does not meet criteria for a higher rating, his right hip strain does not meet criteria for a higher rating, and his tinnitus does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's audiometric results did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's SMC was granted at intermediate rates for specific periods and maximum rate after August 23, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is required to obtain complete service personnel records and medical treatment records for INACDUTRA periods. A new opinion on etiology is needed for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active military service due to noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. However, the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the October 2022 VA audiological opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to low back, left knee, left hip, and right hip disorders have been remanded due to inadequate VA opinions. The Board requires an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there is not an approximate balance of evidence in favor of the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to in-service noise exposure, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that none of his service-connected conditions were a disease, injury, or complication that directly caused his death.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for a prostate disability, as well as his claims for increased ratings for sciatic nerve radiculopathy left lower extremity, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran withdrew his requests for hearings and all of his pending appeals.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for prostate cancer. The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied, and his initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements are credible and sufficient to establish a continuity of symptomatology from service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability in the left ear.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service. The AOJ needs to obtain an addendum opinion from a medical expert to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted as service-connected. Service connection for left and right ear hearing loss is denied.