Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis related to hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not manifest the necessary conditions for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance, as he was able to perform daily activities without requiring assistance from another person.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The Board found that a higher rating is warranted for bilateral hearing loss, but denied earlier effective dates for service connection of tinnitus and BHL.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability is not related to his in-service noise exposure, while the examiner did not address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically whether it is related to his active service. The AOJ will need to obtain a medical opinion on this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to military noise exposure and remands the case for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there are issues with the VA examination reports, including inadequate notice of what is necessary to substantiate a claim based on service in the National Guard, and an incomplete or inaccurate factual premise. The examiner's opinion was also found to be inadequate.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining a VA medical opinion for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an additional examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss disability, right ear hearing loss disability, and lumbar spine disability due to duty-to-assist errors prior to the AOJ decisions. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being reviewed again as there may be a need to consider evidence submitted after the August 2021 decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during service and has continued since, warranting service connection.,There is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations, thus denying the claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the claim for left ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which may be related to service exposure. The claim will be reconsidered with a new VA examination.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.,The right wrist sprain disability claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but denied service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to noise exposure during active duty. Service connection is not granted for his left ear hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate etiology rationale in the VA examination report. The Veteran's hearing loss is currently diagnosed, and there was no significant shift in hearing thresholds during service. However, a new addendum opinion is needed to determine if the current hearing loss is related to service exposure.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not shown to have been manifested by worse than Level I hearing acuity, and therefore an initial compensable rating for the condition has been denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the Board is remanding his claims of service connection for right mandible fracture and left corneal abrasion.,Service connection for diabetes was also denied.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. A VA examination is required for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that his pre-existing hearing loss did not worsen during active service and thus could not be considered service-connected.