Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and PTSD with major depressive disorder have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. A TDIU is granted from September 29, 2008 to February 17, 2021.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating of his bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to evidence suggesting an increase in severity since the last examination. The VA examiner will need to review the Veteran's testimony about 'hidden hearing loss' and assess its relevance.

The Veteran's hearing loss rating was reduced from 80% to 50%, effective July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not show an actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work at the time of the reduction, so the 80% rating is restored.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral knee disability are all granted. The Board found that the evidence supported these claims based on in-service noise exposure leading to current disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, lower back condition, right shoulder condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip arthritis and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is remanded for respiratory and lung condition (COPD).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of disability does not warrant a compensable rating.,A higher 20% rating was granted for the Veteran's bilateral dry eye syndrome, which is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examinations. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical opinions that consider the Veteran's service exposure and any pre-existing conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The appeal for service connection of headaches secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee disability due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records from the East Orange VA Medical Center regarding a speech discrimination test from December 7, 2015.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from September 25, 2005 to October 29, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran was previously denied a TDIU prior to February 14, 2017 due to his employment history and the severity of his service-connected disabilities. From that date forward, he is granted a TDIU based on his PTSD alone.,From February 14, 2017 onwards, the Veteran's TDIU was granted as his PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Parkinsonism, and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from June 18, 2013 to January 3, 2017. As the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether he can secure such employment, his claim for TDIU in this period is granted.

The Board has denied an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disorder.,The Veteran's representative raised concerns about the adequacy of the August 2020 VA examination regarding his claim that his left shoulder disorder was incurred during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA in 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability may be related to his proximity to canon fire during service. The examiner is asked to review all pertinent evidence and determine if there is a link between the in-service exposure and the current condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance due to additional VA examination reports and clinical documentation not yet reviewed by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss, hepatitis, hearing loss, and tinnitus has been reopened. The Board finds that the case is REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.