Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including pes planus, bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, left shoulder disability, right hand scar, and bilateral hearing loss. The combined rating of these conditions exceeds the schedular requirement for a TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there was no new and relevant evidence received subsequent to the February 2018 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed because he withdrew the issue from appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with dissociative symptoms and persistent depressive disorder was also denied due to the lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA audiological examination for bilateral hearing loss, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of the disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 30 percent since February 22, 2022. The appeal was granted for a TDIU beginning on that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence from the Iowa National Guard.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has remanded several issues, including those related to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as some of the disability evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of testicular cancer due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's chronic lung condition and scars are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is granted service connection. Service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, left hip disorder, and right knee disorder are denied. Service connection for prostate cancer residuals is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to bilateral ear disorder, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records and schedule examinations to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain addendum opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate negative nexus opinion in a previous VA examination. A new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's current hearing loss began in or was caused by his military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not meet the regulatory requirements for a disability at separation, but his tinnitus is presumed to have begun in-service.

The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected PTSD, which prevented him from working. The Board granted a TDIU rating for the period from August 28, 2018, to April 8, 2021.

The Veteran's death was not due to willful misconduct, but his death was not the result of a condition that he had been rated as totally disabled for at least 10 years prior to his death. The appeal is remanded to obtain outstanding treatment records.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss prior to October 19, 2023, and a rating higher than 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and has continued to the present, warranting service connection.,There is no current evidence of right ear hearing loss meeting VA criteria for a disability. The Veteran's hearing was tested in September 2015, which did not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.,The Veteran has not presented evidence of a current diagnosis of epididymitis during the period on appeal. His service treatment records indicate several instances of treatment for epididymitis and testicular pain during service, but his separation examination in March 1999 indicated a clinically normal genitourinary system.,The Veteran's testimony regarding migraine headaches was not examined or addressed in this decision.,The Veteran's testimony regarding obstructive sleep apnea was not examined or addressed in this decision.