Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss and PTSD. The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to these conditions, but further development is needed for some of the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and digestive system disorder (other than GERD and hemorrhoids) due to undiagnosed illness has been granted. The bilateral leg disorder claim is still pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent from March 9, 2020 to prior to January 4, 2022. Prior to that date and after January 4, 2022, the rating is noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for toenail and fingernail disorders have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims during a Board hearing.,Service connection has been granted for bilateral hearing loss, with no effective date provided.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of a compensable initial rating for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss increased evaluation claim and TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, tinnitus, and PTSD has been granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of scar, right side of neck and fatty tumor, right side of neck (claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure) for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a left foot disability, a right foot disability other than Achilles tendonitis, and hearing loss. Service connection was granted for left lower extremity neuropathy and right lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has dismissed all the claims as they are not currently in a position to be adjudicated due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and concluding that any hearing loss is not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete verification of his periods of active and reserve service, misfiled documents, and need for new VA opinions.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his claim of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to incomplete examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of an adequate VA examination. The Veteran reported in-service noise exposure, but did not appear for the scheduled examination.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.,Throughout the appeal period, his back condition with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss should be remanded to allow for additional development of records, including inpatient hospital records from Carswell Air Force Base and William Beaumont Hospital. A VA examination will also be scheduled to determine if any current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, hypertension (HTN), erectile dysfunction (ED), and a RLE skin condition due to insufficient evidence of current disability or proper service connection. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected right knee arthritis and 10 percent for service-connected right knee bursitis were denied as the evidence did not show that his limitation of motion more nearly approximated extension limited to 45 degrees or flexion limited to 30 degrees.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, skin condition, and lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence meeting VA's definition of a disability. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to October 28, 2019 was denied as his combined service-connected disability rating did not meet the schedular percentage thresholds for a TDIU and there is no evidence showing he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.