Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the case for further examination regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 25, 2021.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted, attributed to in-service acoustic trauma exposure.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 20 percent for his bilateral hearing loss disability beginning April 14, 2021. The appeal is denied prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but has remanded for further examination regarding his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss since November 8, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show an exceptional disability picture that warranted extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased rating for ichthyosis vulgaris, as well as the issue of service connection for atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy.,For the period from August 28, 2009 to February 1, 2017, a disability rating of 60 percent was granted for ichthyosis vulgaris.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing acuity in both ears is no worse than Level I, bilaterally.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to have been incurred during service due to exposure to acoustic trauma from small arms fire, aircraft noise, and armor vehicle noise. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evaluations are necessary to determine the current severity of the Veteran's insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral foot disabilities. The claims for increased ratings and service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for right knuckle fracture with degenerative arthritis was granted. The case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left hand disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's hypertension was not manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more during the appeal period, thus no compensable rating is warranted.,The Veteran's left hand fracture/long finger disability did not result in a gap of one inch (2.5 cm) or more between the fingertip and the proximal transverse crease of the palm with the finger flexed to the extent possible; nor was there limitation of extension limited by no more than 30 degrees, thus no compensable rating is warranted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss cannot be established as the Veteran did not have a current disability at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,Service connection for a left hip disability cannot be established as the Veteran did not have a current disability at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,Service connection for a left wrist joint pain (not service-connected) cannot be established as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for right testicular mass cannot be established as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for contact dermatitis (legs, face, neck) cannot be established as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with the June 2022 remand order, requiring a new VA examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period from February 27, 2015 to November 26, 2018 due to lack of evidence showing he was unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder unspecified) based on new evidence received since the final denial of these claims in February 2016. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for a higher rating for left foot peroneal tendinopathy was granted with a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it had its onset during service or is related to service.

The Board dismissed the claims of right upper extremity numbness, diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss for accrued benefits purposes.,Service connection was granted for kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) due to radiation exposure during service.