Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective September 12, 2012. The claim for an increased rating must be denied based on a lack of entitlement under the law.,The Veteran filed his claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches more than one year after his separation from active service and years following the first complaints and/or treatment for headaches. An effective date prior to August 24, 2017, is not warranted as the claim was received in August 24, 2017.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, anxiety and mood disorder, and TBI disabilities are currently rated based on their severity under the applicable rating criteria. The claims for increased ratings remain in controversy as less than the maximum benefit available was awarded.,The Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination to determine if he has an eye disability (macular holes) due to his military service. A remand is required to schedule such an examination.,The Veteran's PTSD claim remains pending as there is conflicting evidence of record regarding whether the Veteran currently has PTSD. A new VA examination is needed to clarify this issue.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability, bilateral knee disabilities, cervical strain, and left lower lumbar radiculopathy are rated based on their severity under the applicable rating criteria. The claims for increased ratings remain in controversy as less than the maximum benefit available was awarded.,The Veteran's lumbosacral DDD, right calcaneal spurring, and left lower lumbar radiculopathy disabilities have not been evaluated since April 2019. A new VA examination is needed to evaluate these conditions based on their current severity.,The Veteran's headaches are currently rated as 50 percent disabling under DC 8100. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent remains pending and a remand is required to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his functional impairments, if any.,The Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination to determine whether he should be granted earlier effective dates prior to August 24, 2017. A new VA examination is needed to evaluate these issues based on their current severity.,The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension claim remains pending as the remanded issues could significantly impact this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. The Board has remanded the issues due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left leg sciatica, and allergic rhinitis as the evidence did not show current diagnoses or a link to service.,Service connection requires proof of a current disability. The Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition that meets VA criteria for a disability in any of these cases.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his claim for service connection for non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis) is dismissed.

The Veteran's hearing loss and service-connected conditions have been remanded for further development.,The Veteran is seeking increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss and coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, left foot disability (plantar fasciitis), and right foot disability (plantar fasciitis) due to inadequate medical opinions in prior VA examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are intertwined with his rating claim.

The Veteran's vertigo is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 0 percent, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's perforation of the tympanic membrane in his left ear is currently rated at 0 percent, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was reopened, and both conditions were granted service connection.,Parkinson's Disease due to herbicide exposure during service in Thailand is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disability) impact his ability to work, warranting referral for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Veteran's right hip and leg condition, diagnosed as right hip osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, is granted service connection.,An initial rating of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 5, 2009 is granted. The effective date is June 15, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing impairment in either ear was worse than Level VI, which warranted a 20% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, which is related to service despite no in-service hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss from January 10, 2013 to May 17, 2015 is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, OSA, and Afib.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and right fifth finger flexion deformity due to insufficient development of medical evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level II in the right ear and Level III in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation. The Board found that the audiograms did not reflect an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The examiner was directed to address acuity shifts in hearing between service entrance and separation, as well as the Veteran's lay statements about noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue is being sent back for further development and an addendum opinion.