Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the claim for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's tinnitus and back condition with residuals are found to be related to service, but his bilateral hearing loss is not. The Board has ordered remand for additional examinations to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 27, 2020 for service connection of residuals of traumatic brain injury with vertigo, tinnitus as residual of TBI, bilateral hearing loss, and migraine headaches. The evidence did not support a claim filed before January 27, 2020.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Service connection for a dental disorder secondary to radiation treatment is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is dismissed.,A rating of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is granted, effective from the date of the Veteran's hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment outside of a protected environment, given his occupational experience and educational background. With resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show deformity of the penis or impairment analogous to deformity.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied because his hearing loss has not met the criteria for exceptional patterns of hearing impairment.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims. The Veteran was granted a noncompensable rating for his left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,Service connection is also being remanded for a compensable rating for hypertension and a compensable rating for a left ankle residual scar.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, right knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right arm disability, and left arm disability.,No current disabilities have been found by VA examiners or other medical providers.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and requests for private medical records. The Veteran is advised to provide names and addresses of all health care providers who have treated him for these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be further developed for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lower back disability are remanded due to conflicting medical evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is remanded due to a need for an EMG study.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn them all.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran should be granted TDIU prior to March 14, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's heart disorder, hypertension, and high frequency sensorineural hearing loss are inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a current disability in either ear, and there is no exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.