Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for initial and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and his PTSD remains at a 70 percent rating. The appeal for increased ratings has been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and low back condition due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The Veteran's headaches are denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss and other conditions are being reviewed, but his TDIU claim for the period prior to May 15, 2021 is remanded due to unclear employment details.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a seizure disorder and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee disability was denied, and his claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss were granted. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not have left ear hearing loss at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for increased rating of the back disability was granted with a 40 percent rating prior to June 9, 2021, but denied thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for left testis removal. The decision also reopened the claim for left testis removal based on new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to July 6, 2022, finding insufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

A 10 percent rating is granted for bilateral hearing loss as of September 20, 2020.,No higher than a 20 percent rating is granted for bilateral hearing loss after November 19, 2021.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened significantly since his last examination in March 2017, and he needs a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and poor eyesight, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiogram records and requests for additional VA audiograms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and knee conditions, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 70 percent effective July 19, 2023. Prior to this date, the rating remained noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting medical opinions and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore the claim for a TDIU is denied.