Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability related to military service, and the Veteran's lay assertions are outweighed by the VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as non-compensable throughout the appeal period, with a worst level of hearing acuity in both ears being Level II. The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary arteriosclerosis, erectile dysfunction (E.D.), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete development regarding herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand instructions, specifically regarding a VA audiological examination for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, traumatic brain injury residuals, and facial scarring. The decision is based on the Veteran's failure to report for necessary examinations without explanation.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether these conditions were incurred during military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated medical records. Issues include internal hemorrhoids, an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for right shoulder disability, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the percentage standards set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) and concluded that there is not sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The case for GERD secondary to service-connected disabilities is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is granted service connection. The claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle strain, and tension headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow any form of substantially gainful employment prior to March 14, 2016. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also established.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 50% effective January 13, 2022, and 10% prior to that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left carpel tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no current disability of these conditions for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without providing good cause.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for his TMJ disorder.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act, as the Veteran's exposure to herbicides is presumed and he has developed hypertension. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed. The Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that reasonable doubt must be resolved in his favor. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability and a neck disability due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a higher rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and bilateral cataracts, a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to TDIU. These matters are being remanded.