Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they need further medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service. The examiner needs to review the medical records and consider the possibility of delayed onset hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 19, 2022, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals.

The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and right-ear hearing loss have been withdrawn. The Veteran's IBS claim has been granted, as well as his tinnitus claim. His GERD claim is pending and will be remanded.,The Veteran's IBS was found to be service-connected due to his military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. His tinnitus was also found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as there was no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted, with the opinion that it is less likely than not related to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran reported experiencing constant ringing in his ears since 1990 and provided credible statements supporting this claim.,The pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service as evidenced by worsening symptoms during service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service and acoustic trauma experienced during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim for tinnitus has been granted, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for respiratory, right ear hearing loss, and chronic joint/muscle pain disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or causation.

The Veteran's claims have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to substantiate his service connection claims due to potential exposure to burn pits during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to insufficient evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on housebound status (SMC-HB) and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran is service connected for PTSD rated at 100 percent, tinnitus rated at 10 percent, and noncompensable bilateral hearing loss. The Board requested that the AOJ schedule the Veteran for a housebound examination but no such examination has been conducted due to cancellation or inability of the Veteran to attend an in-person examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, but he was granted service connection for tinnitus.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted based on the presumption that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and rectal problems due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which were not addressed in the original decision.

The Veteran's auditory processing disorder (claimed as bilateral hearing loss) is remanded due to the need for further examination and testing. The current evidence does not establish a direct relationship with service, but more information is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability claim was previously denied in April 2012, but reopened due to new evidence received since then. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) was also reopened.,Service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current hearing loss disability during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran died from COPD, which is not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hearing loss and tinnitus for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence in previous opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete or missing service treatment records, and for additional development of his disabilities. The issues include DDD (back pain), scoliosis, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, deviated nasal septum, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 13, 2023. Beginning on that date, his TDIU is granted due to the grant of a 100% rating for PTSD. The issue of SMC based on housebound status has been dismissed as moot.