Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.,For the period prior to February 22, 2023, the Veteran's skin condition (furuncles with scarring) did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation beyond 10 percent.

The Board has denied an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss, finding that his symptoms do not warrant such a rating based on VA's tables for rating hearing loss disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on audiometric testing results. The Board also determined that an extraschedular rating was not warranted due to lack of exceptional or unusual circumstances affecting employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which was related to conceded hazardous noise exposure during service. A new VA examination is needed to address whether the Veteran's hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to this exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at a 10 percent disability rating effective January 23, 2020. Prior to that date, the condition was not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disability, a bilateral eye disability, left ear hearing loss, a head nodule, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities prior to August 10, 2022, were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims of increased evaluations for lumbar spine and right knee disabilities remain on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied. The case is also remanded for a new examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and for consideration of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic pain, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The effective date of service connection for PTSD is granted as October 9, 2015, but the rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. Further development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his audiometric findings do not warrant such an increase.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for hearing loss disabilities due to incomplete records, including missing service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran is also asked to provide information about any non-VA healthcare providers who have treated them.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was raised as part of the initial service connection claims for hearing loss, headaches, and IBS. The effective date is set at April 12, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not due to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information in the VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The examiner did not consider the converted audiometric data from ASA to ISO-ANSI standards, nor did they address the impact of post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is likely related to his service, as evidenced by exposure to noise during active duty and no significant treatment for hearing issues until after separation. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and new evidence received after the initial denial of service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claim is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA medical opinions provided were not adequate, and an additional examination is needed.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss, left and right dry eye syndrome, recurrent acute sinusitis, retina deposits (right eye), left foot plantar fasciitis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete audiometric testing results and missing non-VA treatment records.