Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, as no claim was filed before March 23, 2020. An initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from March 23, 2020 to the present was also denied due to lack of qualifying hearing impairment. The Veteran's tinnitus was rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations and no higher rating was granted. The TDIU claim was granted with an effective date of November 9, 2017, and DEA eligibility was granted as well.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of its occurrence during or post-service.,The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss claim is denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations, and the lack of evidence showing current symptoms or impairment.,The Veteran's prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction residuals are rated at 100% as in remission. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he has not provided sufficient evidence that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.,There was no indication of exposure basis for any condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate audiometric testing and missing numerical findings from a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression has been remanded.,There is no current diagnosis of a chronic headache disorder. Bilateral hearing loss manifested more than one year after separation from service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to service. Tinnitus had its onset during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be related to service, and thus denied.,PTSD prior to August 2, 2022, is rated at 50 percent. The Veteran's PTSD since then has been rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be related to service, and thus denied.,PTSD prior to August 2, 2022, is rated at 50 percent. The Veteran's PTSD since then has been rated at 70 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that it did not manifest within one year of discharge and is not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

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

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent effective May 1, 2011. His bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent. The Board granted a TDIU rating and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating, but no greater. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim for a higher rating than 40 percent was denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss and right knee because the appellant requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Veteran's lung cancer is granted service connection, while his right and left shoulder disabilities, Barrett's esophagus, hiatal hernia, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he was able to work before his disability onset in 1997. The Board denied the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the back, and PTSD due to a lack of adequate medical opinions addressing the relationship between these conditions and service. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous remands and insufficient consideration of the Veteran's exposure to noise during service. The case will be reviewed again for a comprehensive evaluation.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including investigating the Veteran's service in Korea and Kuwait, obtaining his complete military personnel records, and obtaining any outstanding VA and private treatment records. The claims for right hand frostbite, bilateral hand disability, back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and/or PTSD), left knee disability, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss are all remanded.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the case is remanded for further development regarding a TDIU claim.