Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, qualifying for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. However, he does not meet the criteria for housebound status due to his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis under DSM-5 criteria.,The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability are remanded as new evidence has been submitted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, tremor right upper extremity, and tremor left lower extremity. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations.,Service connection was also denied for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has ordered the VA to remand these matters back for further development, including associating outstanding treatment records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the current severity of his tension headaches, inguinal hernia, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been denied. The initial rating for other specified trauma and stress-related disorder remains at 30 percent, right ankle residuals remain noncompensable, and there is no evidence of a compensable rating for the remaining conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not manifested by more than Level VIII hearing impairment in the right ear and Level V hearing impairment in the left ear, resulting in a 30 percent rating.,The Veteran's residuals of left nephrectomy have manifested with minimal symptoms and sufficient remaining kidney function that the only detectable signs on clinical tests are GFR/eGFR between 46 and 49 mL/min/1.73 m2, creatinine 1.4 to 1.5 mg%, and BUN between 22 and 33 mg%. The Veteran does not exhibit constant albuminuria or other compensable symptoms of disease of the genitourinary system.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his hearing loss is related to military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, posttraumatic stress disorder, and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his exposure to loud noise during active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but the issue of service connection for a right ear disability separate from hearing loss (to include a tumor of the right ear) is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of March 23, 2023. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, right long finger impairment, and hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show his hearing acuity to be higher than Level V in either ear.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) was also denied because the evidence did not meet the criteria for such a rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his cause of death, specifically related to herbicide exposure. The claim will be reconsidered with this information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of thoracic spine degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss disability, and headaches due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable (0 percent) disabling, and the Board denied a higher rating based on the current level of disability.