Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches, left and right shoulder strains, anxiety disorder, tinnitus, and hearing loss, are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability as defined by regulation. The Board has granted total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular percentage standards set forth for a TDIU prior to April 12, 2017. The Board found that he was not limited in the types of work he could perform due to his service-connected conditions and thus denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted after the last SOC, and the Veteran requested a waiver for AOJ review of this additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, back condition, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy due to outstanding VA and/or private treatment records and further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for a higher evaluation of bilateral flat feet from June 12, 2017 was granted with a rating of 50 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional information about the qualifications of the examiners who conducted the Veteran's hearing loss evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and bacterial conjunctivitis have been denied as there is no current disability. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of gout, left eye astigmatism, borderline glaucoma, flat feet, or hypertension.,For the remaining issues, the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if service connection can be granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in providing notice of the right to a hearing and failing to remand as required by regulations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for atopic dermatitis, tinea pedis, chronic rhinosinusitis, right foot disability, and right ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 50 percent for the period prior to November 22, 2021. The PTSD and hypertension disabilities are each rated at 70 percent.,PTSD remains rated at 70 percent, while the hearing loss and hypertension ratings remain unchanged.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiometric test results, and a new VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ear hearing loss due to a duty to assist error and inextricably intertwined issues of increased rating and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new medical opinion to determine if the appellant's current hearing loss disability had its onset or is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically his right ear and left ear hearing loss. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician that addresses these issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable (0%) throughout the appeal period.,There is no evidence of a currently diagnosed nose disorder, and thus service connection for a nose condition due to environmental hazards at Camp Lejeune cannot be established.,There is no evidence of a currently diagnosed skin disorder (eczema), and thus service connection for a skin disorder cannot be established.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The hearing loss claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss in either ear.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for electrocution scar residual, left upper back was denied as the evidence did not show any active symptoms.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss were both denied due to lack of current diagnosis or causal connection to service.,The Veteran's claim for memory loss was denied as there is no currently diagnosed condition that meets VA criteria.,The Veteran's claims for electrocution residuals, including left arm, foot, right foot, and shoulder conditions, were all denied as the evidence did not show any current diagnoses or causal connection to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's hearing loss, as well as service connection for other specified stressor disorder and persistent depression disorder. The decision on these issues is pending.

The Veteran's lung disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are now considered related to his active service exposure at Camp Lejeune. The claims for these conditions have been reopened and granted.