Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to July 23, 2021 is remanded due to incomplete records and employment information.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities and GERD. The issues of initial increased ratings for sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities and a TDIU are being remanded.,The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is pending, with a need to obtain personnel records and determine active duty periods.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for bilateral knee disorders, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for hypertension is granted, and he is now entitled to this benefit under the PACT Act.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss as secondary to TBI is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current hearing loss in the right ear is proximately due to his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent from June 8, 2012 to August 23, 2019. The Board has granted a TDIU effective March 29, 2019.,From March 29, 2019 to August 23, 2019, the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded to obtain an assessment of the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability prior to March 18, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, as his unemployment is attributed to non-service connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that more evidence is needed to decide these cases.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea have been denied. The Board has also found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for these conditions.,Additionally, several of the Veteran's existing disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus was granted. Service connection for PTSD was also granted. The reduction in ratings for knee instability and patellofemoral syndrome of the knees was found to be improper, and the prior 10% ratings were restored.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to anxiety disorder, hypertension, and other disabilities.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 26, 2018, for service connection for PTSD was denied as the May 2015 rating decision became final and no new evidence was submitted within one year of that decision.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating (in excess of zero percent) for bilateral hearing loss was also denied due to lack of new evidence submitted within one year of April 26, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of VA examinations and requests for a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to ensure that due process is followed and a complete record is available. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to outstanding treatment records from the Veteran's employment with a commercial airline (1977-1987) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (1987-2014).

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as it did not meet the criteria of being causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service and did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete employment and income information provided by the Veteran. The Board requests clarification on his employment history and earnings since June 30, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives, specifically regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim is being returned for further development and an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's appeal for right ear hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability.,Left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.