Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete military records, requiring a new VA examination and review of service personnel records.

The Veteran's service-connected rhinosinusitis is found to be a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea, which has been granted as secondary to his service-connected condition. The claim of PTSD was denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence and the absence of a diagnosis conforming to DSM-5 criteria. Bilateral hearing loss was not shown during or after service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of September 25, 2015. However, due to the remand for extra-schedular consideration, the case is now pending again with the possibility of a TDIU being granted on an extra-schedular basis prior to September 25, 2015.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of left ear hearing loss. The case is being remanded to obtain an adequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current left-ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral shin splints are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted with an effective date of October 13, 2010. A rating in excess of 20% prior to August 12, 2016, and a 10% rating from August 12, 2016 to November 7, 2018 was granted for bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating after November 7, 2018 is currently pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since August 3, 2018. The Board granted a TDIU based on this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 30 percent from January 4, 2023, and denied for increased ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss from December 3, 2015 to April 6, 2020 was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU prior to December 3, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain a new opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.,The February 2023 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he had engaged in substantially gainful employment during the appeal period, and thus did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current residuals from a head injury, and his bilateral hearing loss is not related to service. The case is being remanded for further examination regarding his knee strain and hypertension.,The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is also being remanded for an updated rating determination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination used in the previous decision. A new examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the hearing loss claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to January 31, 2020 and entitlement to TDIU prior to that date. The Board found the Veteran's PTSD results in deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, and thinking.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss because he did not have a current disability as defined by VA regulations. The evidence submitted was insufficient to establish that he had hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there is no current disability of right ear hearing loss separate and distinct from bilateral loudness recruitment. The record does not contain a recent diagnosis of disability prior to the Veteran's filing of a claim.