Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the omission of relevant VA treatment records, including audiometric testing results from an August 2014 evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the issue of entitlement to a higher disability rating for unspecified anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD) is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability.,Tinnitus has been granted service connection, with the Board resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.,For tinea versicolor and pseudofolliculitis barbae, a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing more than 20% body or exposed area affected.,The Veteran's low back disorder, left lower extremity sciatica, right lower extremity sciatica, erectile dysfunction, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome are all remanded for further development as VA examinations may be necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.,Chronic sinusitis and headaches have been remanded due to lack of evidence showing current disability or in-service event.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining medical opinions and missing treatment records. The Veteran's hearing loss is related to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of medical evidence addressing their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back condition (claimed as an acquired psychiatric disorder), right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis have been granted. The Board found that new evidence submitted by the Veteran supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a higher rating. The AOJ must obtain any relevant VA treatment records from June 2021 to determine the current severity of his hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to in-service noise exposure and giving him the benefit of the doubt.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions had their onset during or shortly after his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a back disorder, and service connection for polycythemia vera were dismissed as the claims remained denied in the November 2021 rating decision.

The Veteran's vertigo and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss were denied as not related to service.,Major depressive disorder was denied due to lack of VA examination attendance, and prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction was denied for exceeding the current rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disorder and sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as his current protected work environment with VA does not allow for substantial income generation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because his combined rating for service-connected conditions (PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, plantar wart, and hypertension) is less than the required 70% to warrant a TDIU on schedular basis. The Board found that he could still secure and follow substantially gainful employment despite his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA opinion on whether the Veteran had left ear hearing loss during or recent to the appeal period, including in-service noise exposure and toxic exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's current hearing loss disability. A new examination is needed to determine if his service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss should be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are now considered. The Board has also remanded several other issues due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted.

The Board has granted a TDIU as of April 12, 2021, due to the Veteran's service-connected vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus which render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

Service connection is granted for allergic rhinitis and bilateral flat feet (pes planus).,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss, frequent urination, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and insomnia are remanded for further evaluation.