Hearing loss Board decisions

Service connection is denied for vertigo, sleep apnea, upper back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for migraine headaches has been remanded.

The appeal to service connection for left ear hearing loss is dismissed because it is subject to a pending legacy appeal. The right ear hearing loss increased rating claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities. The right knee disability, neck disability, and major depressive disorder claims are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.,The Board has also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder due to a lack of sufficient medical opinion regarding its onset during service.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance from March 12, 2021, due to his service-connected depressive disorder and bilateral hearing loss.

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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple issues has been remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional evidence, including medical opinions related to potential toxic exposure claims under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's initial claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied in August 2009, and the Board has determined that a compensable rating is not warranted. The Veteran's supplemental claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was received on January 28, 2020, which became effective as of that date.

Your appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on this claim as it is no longer pending.

The rating reduction from 90 percent to 70 percent for bilateral hearing loss was proper as the evidence showed an actual improvement in the disability level and ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for CFS, a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability, and an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of CFS or any other qualifying chronic disability under the VA regulations. For the bilateral hearing loss disability, the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Regarding PTSD, the Board determined that the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran needs to provide or authorize VA to obtain relevant private treatment records from Dr. P.B. and/or the Family ENT & Sinus Center of Harrison, including an August 2021 hearing test.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and neck disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that his current condition began during his active service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, including symptoms of vertigo and unsteady gait. The AOJ should also consider whether another Diagnostic Code would better reflect the disability and if there are any separately ratable disabilities associated with it.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his hearing acuity was not at the level required for such a rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating.

The Board has waived the untimeliness of the March 2020 substantive appeal and granted service connection for frostbite of the bilateral hands, feet, and hearing loss. The right foot disability claim is pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, but his left and right ear hearing loss were denied. The Board remanded the right ear hearing loss claim for further examination.