Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss due to a duty-to-assist error in the December 2020 VA medical opinion. The Veteran's active-duty service included noise exposure, particularly as an Electronic Maintenance Chief with high probability for noise exposure.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's request to reopen a service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss because proper claims processing procedures have not been followed.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for ventricular fibrillation and bilateral hearing loss due to in-service exposure, requiring a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and that he had a decrease in hearing acuity during service. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's self-reports regarding the onset and duration of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a 10% rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is denied because he has already been assigned compensable ratings for other conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the claim for left ear hearing loss due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be reconsidered with new evidence and a proper medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, and if so, whether it worsened during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's military occupational specialty (aircraft mechanic) which carries a high probability of hazardous noise exposure, as well as his lay statements about loud noise while working on aircraft. The claims are being returned to obtain an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss. The VA has not provided all of the Veteran's audiometric test results, which are relevant to this claim. Therefore, the case is being remanded to ensure these records are included in the claims file.

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

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims at this time.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not meet the criteria for VA purposes at separation.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with continuity of symptoms from service to present.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations, and he is still homeless.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the onset of bilateral hearing loss and its relation to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating, and no higher, for the appellant's allergic rhinitis. The appeal is remanded for further action on service connection claims.,Additional medical opinions are needed due to recent changes in law regarding toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) under the PACT Act.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or auditory damage leading to current hearing loss. The Veteran's statements regarding etiology are not competent and lack weight.

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is granted. The decision on the claim for aggravation of pre-existing bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 2, 2022 for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no legal basis upon which to award such a date.