Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right knee disability, and initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to procedural errors in obtaining necessary evidence and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as VA was required to recoup separation pay from his disability compensation, and this is a matter of law rather than fact.

The Board denied a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss from May 20, 2024 to the present as the evidence did not show that the disability warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's travel to UCSF Orthopedics on March 12, 2024, for an orthopedic consult related to left knee pain was approved and covered by VA. The Board granted the claim based on the benefit of doubt.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, left shoulder, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete records and a need for VA TERA examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for his left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is at least a reasonable doubt in favor of the claim and resolving it in the Veteran's favor.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error in the previous VA examination, and thus the claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to need the regular aid and assistance of another person, qualifying for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to SMC by reason of housebound status is moot as a result.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not caused by or a result of noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. Bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, while tinnitus is linked to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder were denied, while the appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was remanded. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings for either condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for service-connected left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss pre-existed service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were dismissed due to a procedural defect in the filing of their appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of bilateral hearing loss, bilateral otosclerosis, and tinnitus was dismissed as his request to file a VA Form 10182 was not timely.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the Veteran's attorney requested an extension for filing a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) due to COVID-19, and this request has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss cases are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.