Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability and hearing loss/tinnitus have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is now granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability has not warranted a compensable rating during the appeal period, and therefore his claim for an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have begun in service and has continued since then.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and difficulty swallowing and cotton mouth (Cranial Nerve IX impairment) is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. However, the issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board has granted a TDIU from March 27, 2019, forward. However, the matter of entitlement to a TDIU prior to March 27, 2019, is remanded for further consideration.

The Board has decided that the VA's January 2019 rating decision on service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is incorrect, and a new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted by the RO in September 2019, and this appeal is dismissed as the benefit sought has been granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain private treatment records and provide addendum opinions. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional examinations and medical opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including low back condition, muscle condition (restless leg syndrome), blood clots, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bladder condition, and sleep apnea. The claims will be further evaluated based on the results.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of VA examination.

The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings, including those for diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension and erectile dysfunction, PTSD, diabetic neuropathy of the left upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral hearing loss disability due to inadequate medical opinions that did not address the Veteran's lay statements of continuity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition, which was not addressed in the original decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities, including those related to a gunshot wound, hearing loss, tinnitus, and right foot fracture.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 25, 2018, and SMC based on loss of use of hearing prior to September 25, 2018, is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of chronicity within one year post-service discharge or a causal relationship to service.

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction, secondary to hypertension is being remanded due to the need for new VA opinions. The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during service, and the Board found no evidence to support a finding that it is related to service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable (0 percent) since May 11, 2023. The Board found that the criteria for an initial compensable rating have not been met.