Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that new evidence supports the readjudication of claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current diagnoses of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, with competent and credible lay and medical evidence supporting this conclusion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran asserts that his current diagnosis is related to in-service noise exposure, and VA acknowledges this exposure. However, there are discrepancies in the examination results and a need for clarification on whether the Veteran experienced threshold shifts during service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status prior to October 26, 2016 was denied as he did not meet the criteria of having a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or greater.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as related to in-service exposure to asbestos and construction particulates.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, other specified trauma-related disorder, or depression, is denied due to lack of a valid diagnosis under DSM-5 criteria.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as not having manifested within one year of separation from service or being otherwise related to service exposure.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to May 28, 2019 was denied as he did not meet the criteria of being permanently and substantially confined to his immediate premises due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent effective December 13, 2011. A rating in excess of 40 percent for the period prior to December 11, 2019, was dismissed. The Veteran's right lower extremity neuropathy has been granted a 20 percent rating since September 24, 2020. Service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied as it did not occur within one year of service. Chronic sinusitis and right ear hearing loss are presumed to be related to military service. The Veteran's left hip, right hip, left knee, right knee, and left ankle disabilities were all denied. Bronchitis was granted effective August 10, 2022 (PACT Act). TDIU is granted effective November 20, 2012.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 50 percent since November 23, 2020. A TDIU rating was granted from January 11, 2011 to November 1, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for TDIU is also being remanded as it involves an attempt to obtain an appropriate rating for a disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the February 2016 VA examination opinion. The Board requests a new opinion from an audiologist regarding whether his current right ear hearing loss had its onset in service or is otherwise related to military service, including in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to October 16, 2013. Therefore, a TDIU is granted since October 16, 2013, but no earlier.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been assigned a noncompensable rating because the average hearing threshold levels do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right knee condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss may be related to service, but more evidence is needed to make a determination.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, spondylolisthesis with spina bifida, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to potential missing SSA records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it did not manifest in service or within one year of separation from active duty and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded several claims for further examination and review, including those related to left knee, shoulder, back, ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus disabilities. The issues are all secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 12, 2010. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.