Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, finding no evidence of current disabilities under VA regulations and insufficient medical evidence to support a link between the conditions and active service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to his death before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 29, 2015 for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 29, 2015 for grant of service connection for residuals of right wrist fracture with degenerative joint disease is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, left foot and right foot peripheral neuropathy, bilateral knee peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service. The RO is instructed to obtain deck logs from ships involved in the Veteran's service and confirm his presence at sea off the coast of Vietnam.

The Veteran was granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, but denied service connection for glaucoma and bilateral hearing loss. The Board also remanded cases involving cataracts, hypertension, and kidney disease related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure, with no opinion on whether it is secondary to diabetes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of bilateral hearing loss and TDIU, including obtaining audiogram results and SSA records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cataracts and dry eyes, and other conditions, are found to be of sufficient severity to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the period prior to September 17, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted. His prostate cancer residuals were also granted a rating of 60 percent, effective from March 1, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's decreased hearing related to his military service is a present disability incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that his hearing acuity did not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy (PN), left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been dismissed.,A 40 percent rating has been granted for PN in the upper and lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine condition, and bilateral knee condition are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with no worse than level I hearing impairment. The Board found that an increased rating for the condition was not warranted.

The Board has found the VA opinions inadequate and remanded for further examination to address the likely etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran's service records show shifts in hearing that could indicate acoustic trauma, but the current VA opinion is insufficient.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected back disorder, as his other disabilities did not contribute to his unemployability prior to September 13, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, dyspareunia (painful intercourse) or female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), a left arm/hand disability (claimed as numbness, and other than the already service-connected shoulder strain), and/or bilateral lower extremity disability (claimed as numbness, and other than the already service-connected left hip strain and feet disabilities).,The Board found that there is no current evidence of hearing loss or dyspareunia/FSAD in either ear. The Veteran's STRs do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to a left arm/hand disability or bilateral lower extremity disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, stomach ulcers, and a skin disorder due to incomplete development. The Veteran's VA treatment records need to be obtained, as well as addendum opinions addressing his lay statements regarding symptom onset.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.