Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has found that new VA treatment records and audiograms submitted by the Veteran in May 2023 need to be reviewed before a decision can be made on his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss disability were denied effective dates prior to the ones requested.,The Veteran's claim for bladder incontinence and bowel incontinence, as well as hammer toes, is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connection is established due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's TBI, migraine headache disorder, and left foot disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus with osteoarthritic changes is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease due to herbicide agent exposure at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base. The issue of an effective date earlier than October 6, 2017, for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, migraines, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, did not manifest to a compensable degree within a presumptive period, and were not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology. The Board finds that the evidence persuasively weighs against finding that hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.,The Veteran's asthma was not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, did not manifest to a compensable degree within a presumptive period, and was not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology. The Board finds that the evidence persuasively weighs against finding that asthma is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding their onset during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, duodenal ulcer, lumbar spondylosis, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since November 16, 2010. The Board has granted TDIU from that date and also found eligibility for DEA benefits effective as of the same date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is granted. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran needs to be scheduled for a new VA examination, and his TDIU claim should also be reviewed.

The Veteran's left ankle injury, including Achilles tendonitis and osteoarthritis, is granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral foot conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion. His hearing loss is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current degree of impairment. Service connection for bronchitis is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for tinnitus and an initial rating higher than 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss due to inextricably intertwined issues. A new VA examination is required to address these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as they do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a right hand fifth metacarpal fracture. The appeal regarding OSA and TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his condition, as the previous examinations are inadequate.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a rating of 20 percent, effective from February 26, 2021. The Board also found her left lower extremity radiculopathy to approximate moderate incomplete paralysis and granted it a 20 percent rating as well.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board has remanded the service connection claim for lung disorder, to include emphysema with pneumothorax, due to insufficient opinions addressing inservice complaints and prior conditions.