Hearing loss decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50% and increased to 70% effective February 10, 2022. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was denied prior to August 2, 2021, but granted a 10% rating from that date forward.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating determinations due to incomplete development. The hearing loss claim is denied, while the remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim has been granted, but his hearing loss claim is still pending and needs to be remanded for further examination.,The Board found the Veteran competent to report experiencing tinnitus since service. However, the VA examiner concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between current bilateral hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 1, 2017 was denied as he had been employed and the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The claim for DEA benefits prior to November 1, 2017 was also denied due to lack of employment history provided by the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, including as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, anxiety disorder, type II diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and has remanded the remaining claims of service connection for various disabilities. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA records, as well as obtain relevant Federal records from USPS and OPM.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,His erectile dysfunction claim remains pending and will be remanded for further examination and opinion.,Bilateral hearing loss is also pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service connection based on direct evidence of a current disability and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to April 2, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a diagnosis of tinnitus and her lay statements are credible, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. However, the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss requires additional examination and opinion as the March 2018 VA examiner's opinion was inadequate.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address potential secondary service connection claims related to the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as their relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100% since January 28, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100% since January 28, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100% since January 28, 2019.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and seeking outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, sensorineural left ear hearing loss, and sensorineural right ear hearing loss due to incomplete information from VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient audiometric data for a current evaluation of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is pending and requires additional information regarding the use of the Maryland CNC Word List in previous examinations.