Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability during service or within one year after separation. The examiner also found that the current hearing loss is more likely due to age-related changes rather than noise exposure in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his conditions are related to service or pre-existing conditions. The claims will be returned for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and remanded the issues of increased rating for left-sided Bell's palsy and service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since April 30, 2007. The Board found that the current level of hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's pes planus was granted a 50% rating prior to September 22, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and granted TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and medical opinions regarding his hearing loss and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no evidence of a compensable rating throughout the appeal period.,For Crohn's Disease with hiatal hernia, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 12, 2023 or 60 percent thereafter. The Board finds no evidence of severe impairment of health due to symptoms such as pain, vomiting, material weight loss, and hematemesis.,The Veteran's OSA is currently rated at 50 percent, but a remand is necessary for the VA examiner to assess whether his disability has worsened since his last examination over ten years ago.,For radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A remand is necessary for the VA examiner to evaluate the current severity and nature of his symptoms.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted as incurred during service. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied, and the claim for an earlier effective date for left ear hearing loss is also denied. TDIU is granted with conditions met. Effective dates for other claims are not granted.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not rated as compensable.,The VA examiner found no evidence of a pre-existing fungal condition in the Veteran's service records, and concluded that any current fungal condition is less likely related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to additional evidence being submitted after the January 2020 Statement of the Case. The AOJ must review this new evidence and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, hypertension, and neuropathy of all extremities is granted. The claim for increased rating for tinnitus in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a sleep disorder, left ear hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.,Service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability will be considered on a direct basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not constitute a disability for VA purposes at any time during the appeal period and therefore denied her claim. The issues of service connection for left knee condition and right knee condition are remanded due to incomplete records and need for an adequate examination.

The Board has identified three pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and has remanded the claims for additional development. The Veteran's service treatment records, audiograms, and VA audiological examination are to be obtained and reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted. The claim for a compensable rating for perforated eardrum of the left ear with ruptured tympanic membrane is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma. The decision is based on current diagnoses of hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as consistent reports from the Veteran regarding when these symptoms began.

The Veteran's claim for PCAFC benefits is being remanded due to unclear reasons and bases in the denial, as well as a need to clarify eligibility based on new legal criteria set by the Federal Circuit.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with no specific exposure basis provided.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for panic disorder from April 27, 2009. Bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent and TDIU from April 27, 2009 was granted.